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August 20, 2024 – The Rappahannock County Water and Sewer Authority is actively hunting for a used work truck to replace two vehicles that were crushed by falling trees during a violent thunderstorm on July 28. The storm tore through the authority’s Sperryville wastewater treatment plant, downing 14 trees and damaging not only the fleet but also fencing, a roof, and other equipment.
Plant Manager Pamela Parker told the board at its August 15 meeting that the insurance adjuster has already declared the older maintenance truck a total loss. The authority’s newer Toyota pickup, which suffered a bent frame and shattered windows, may be repairable—but the insurer has not yet issued a final determination. In the meantime, Parker and her staff are relying on their personal vehicles for authority business, carefully tracking mileage for reimbursement. Board Chair Bob Trafton noted that the authority’s insurance policy does not cover rental vehicles, leaving staff with no backup option.
The board discussed buying a used pickup capable of towing a trailer. Parker said she is monitoring surplus sales from schools and other public agencies, hoping to find a reliable, affordable replacement. “We’re trying to be smart about this,” she said. “We don’t have a lot of budget flexibility, so we need something that will last.”
Damage assessments are still ongoing. The authority is awaiting an estimate to repair the fencing and a final invoice for the tree removal. The insurer is expected to provide a cost estimate for fixing one side of the roof on the plant’s lab building. Parker said the roofing contractor has already been contacted, and work could begin once the insurance paperwork is approved.
Despite the destruction, the storm did not disrupt plant operations or damage any critical treatment infrastructure. In a stroke of luck, the falling trees narrowly missed four recently delivered blowers valued at about $112,000, as well as other equipment tied to the authority’s ongoing plant upgrade. “We could have been in a much worse situation,” said board member Will Lloyd. “But it’s still a tough blow for a small utility.”
Trafton shook his head when recounting the damage. “What are the odds that both trucks get tree hits? One on each vehicle. Our whole fleet was wiped out in one storm.”
The authority serves about 1,200 customers in Rappahannock County, a rural area in Virginia’s Piedmont region. The Sperryville plant, which treats wastewater from the village and surrounding homes, is in the middle of a multi-year upgrade to meet stricter environmental regulations. The storm damage adds an unexpected financial strain to an already tight budget.
Parker said she hopes to locate a used pickup within the next few weeks, either through a government surplus auction or a private sale. “We need to get back on the road as soon as possible,” she said. “Every day we’re using personal vehicles, it’s not sustainable.”
The board plans to hold a special meeting later this month to approve any vehicle purchase, once a suitable candidate is found. In the meantime, authority staff continue to monitor the plant’s daily operations without disruption, proving that while the fleet may be down, the service remains steady.
