VIRGINIA BEACH, VA: Recently, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) visited the G. Robert House Water Treatment Plant in Suffolk to learn how the $1,000,000 she secured in the Fiscal Year 2024 government funding bills will be used for significant upgrades to the facility. Specifically, the upgrades will go towards replacing Electrodialysis Reversal (EDR) Membranes, which the facility uses to remove excessive fluoride, which is common in groundwater in the Western Tidewater region. The funding Congresswoman Kiggans secured will ensure the groundwater supply can meet the Virginia Department of Health’s drinking water regulatory requirements. 

Congresswoman Kiggans was joined by Suffolk Mayor Michael Duman and members of the Suffolk City Council on a tour of the G. Robert House Water Treatment Plant. During the tour, they had the opportunity to see the new membranes and meet with those who work at the treatment plant. Additionally, she presented a check for the government funding to city and plant officials. Pictures from the visit can be found here.

“As the 10^th largest city in Virginia, Suffolk needs a sophisticated water system to effectively serve its 100,000 residents,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “The funding I secured will go towards guaranteeing Suffolk’s residents and visitors have access to safer, cleaner drinking water. I am proud to see these hard-earned tax dollars returned to our community and am pleased to know they will be used for critical advancements for our water treatment system here in Suffolk!”

“The City of Suffolk extends its sincere gratitude to Congresswoman Jen Kiggans for her support securing $1 million in Congressionally Directed Spending Funds for the Potable Water Treatment Plant Upgrade of the Electrodialysis Reversal (EDR) Membranes,” said Suffolk Mayor Michael Duman. “The replacement of the EDR Membranes will enable us to treat groundwater sources and ensure compliance with the Virginia Department of Health’s drinking water standards, allowing Suffolk to continue providing high-quality water to both our residents, as well as those served by the Western Tidewater Water Authority.”

BACKGROUND: 

Congresswoman Kiggans secured $16,755,000 for 12 local projects across Southeast Virginia in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, which was signed into law on March 9, 2024. More information about this project can be found below:

Potable Water Treatment Plant Upgrades: $1,000,000

• Congresswoman Kiggans secured funding for this project in order to upgrade the City of Suffolk’s G. Robert House Jr. Water Treatment Plant, which will lead to safer, cleaner drinking water for the people of the Western Tidewater region. The treatment plant uses Electrodialysis Reversal (EDR) Membranes to remove the naturally occurring high levels of fluoride found in the groundwater supply in the Eastern Region of Virginia. This removal process is required in order for the drinking water to meet the Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) drinking water regulatory requirements.

Additional details about the other projects Congresswoman Kiggans secured in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, can be found here.

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