Charlottesville, Va., begins five-mile Central Water Line project
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (UI) — The Rivanna Water & Sewer Authority (RWSA) is set to begin construction next week on the Central Water Line Project, a five-mile pipeline designed to strengthen Charlottesville’s drinking water system and improve reliability across the region.
Work will begin on Lewis Street and move north toward the University of Virginia. The project includes installing 24- and 30-inch ductile iron water mains connecting the South Rivanna and Observatory water treatment plants. The line will create a high-capacity backup route to ensure continued water service in the event of a break elsewhere in the system.
“This project marks a significant endeavor that will provide immediate benefits upon completion for current and future generations,” RWSA said.
The construction is divided into nine stages, beginning in late October 2025 and extending through November 2028, with work primarily scheduled Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Crews will use a “convoy method” — excavating, laying pipe, and backfilling in sequence — to minimize lane closures and maintain local access. Temporary steel plates and traffic control measures will be in place throughout the project.
According to RWSA, the Central Water Line is part of a $300 million, five-year investment plan to upgrade raw and finished water pipelines, reservoirs, and treatment plants across Charlottesville and Albemarle County. The program aims to expand capacity, increase redundancy, and reduce the risk of service interruptions.
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