Smith Mountain Lake is a valuable resource for our community, both for its recreational aspect and the water source it provides for the region. Recognizing this, the BRWA and Western Virginia Water Authority (WVWA) joined forces in constructing the Smith Mountain Lake Water Treatment Facility to serve the region. This partnership helped both Authorities, and their customers, save money since it was more economical to open a joint plant in that location instead of building two close together, with one being in Bedford County and the other in Franklin County. The water facility is owned and operated by both the BRWA and WVWA.
When the water leaves the plant, it is piped throughout the BRWA’s region, from Smith Mountain Lake to the Town of Bedford and even to Forest. Going the opposite direction, the water also flows into FranklinCounty where it supplies water to WVWA’s customers. Due to the location of the plant, the BRWA’s operators are contracted by WVWA to maintain their water system in Franklin County. The two organizations meet frequently to review the plant’s operations and to discuss how the partnership works.