After more than 1,200 bills passed in the Virginia General Assembly, Gov. Abigail Spanberger has signed the first set of bills tackling several areas of affordability.
The governor’s action marks the first major set of bills signed from the 2026 General Assembly session. Spanberger had previously signed voter referendum legislation allowing mid-decade congressional redistricting to go before voters on April 21. The signed bills address housing, health care and energy.
Alexandria’s drinking water utility Virginia American Water will start its annual flushing of its water distribution systems next week, and it could mean temporarily reduced pressure and discolored water across Alexandria.
No end date was released, but Virginia American Water said flushing will begin sometime next week and involves work crews opening fire hydrants across the city. Customers will be notified via email and/or phone when flushing is scheduled for their area. The utility is asking that customers update their contact information and preferences in their MyWater account.
A water main relocation project is coming to a stretch of Commonwealth Avenue in and around Del Ray, where one of the city’s biggest flood mitigation projects is planned.
Virginia American Water, the city’s drinking water utility, said it is starting a water main relocation on Commonwealth Avenue. The work is taking place between the 3700 block of Commonwealth Avenue and Ashby Street, and is intended to make space for new, larger stormwater pipes as part of the city’s Commonwealth, Ashby, Glebe Flood Mitigation Project in northern Del Ray.
Applications for Alexandria’s Stormwater Utility (SWU) Fee Credit Program opened today (Monday).
Property owners can apply for credits electronically or with hard copies through Feb. 15, 2026, and may be eligible for up to a 50% reduction on SWU fees “by installing eligible practices,” according to a city announcement.
Three years after Alexandria battled with Virginia American Water over a significant rate hike, both sides are rearing up for round two.
Back in 2021, the City of Alexandria pushed back against a rate increase proposed by utility company Virginia American Water. The city was able to secure a $420,000 refund, but the rate still increased.
Alexandrians struggling to pay their sewer bill might have some relief next year.
AlexRenew, the city’s wastewater authority, said in a release it’s launching a charity-funded emergency bill assistance program called Lifeline Emergency Assistance Program (LEAP).
Alexandria is seeing an uptick in contractors striking gas lines, partly thanks to outdated utility maps.
At a meeting of the Alexandria Local Emergency Planning Committee (full disclosure, this reporter served on the committee) last week, Fire Marshal Russell Furr said there is a “higher than normal number of gas lines being struck.”
Alexandria residents might notice a slight dip in their water bill soon thanks to a recent fight in the State Corporation Commission (SCC).
In a release, the City of Alexandria said city attorneys successfully objected to water overcharges by the Virginia American Water Company (VAWC) from 2019-2021.
Earlier this year, Alexandria got into a scrap with Virginia American Water Company (VAWC) over a rate increase. Now, Mayor Justin Wilson says the city, utility company and other parties are getting closer to a compromise.
Alexandria is one of a handful of Virginia with a private water utility provided by VAWC, a subsidiary of a large national company regulated by the State Corporation Commission (SCC). In November 2021, it applied to the SCC for a nearly 28% increase in rates, along with other charges and rate supplements.
The City of Alexandria is making it easier for locals who pitch in on flood prevention to skip out on their utility fees.
At a meeting last night, the City Council voted to adopt a series of changes to a utility fee credit program, including reducing the fee for residents who install flood mitigation on their property.
The City of Alexandria has issued a formal objection to a water rate increase proposed by Virginia American Water.
Virginia American Water, a statewide utility company, requested authority from the state to increase its rates to create a sales revenue totaling $14.3 million — a 27.6% increase over current revenues.
