Utilities
Electric
Natural Gas
Telecommunications
Water
Wastewater
Water and Sewer Rates for Industrial Customers
Solid Watse Disposal
Recycling
Electric
Reliable, low-cost electric power is provided in Montgomery County by American
Electric Power (AEP) and Virginia Tech Electric Service (VTES). AEP provides service
throughout the county while VTES provides electricity only to the campus of Virginia Tech,
the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center and to certain sections within
the Town of Blacksburg.
American Electric Power is the nation's second largest investor-owned utility
and has over 420,000 customers in central and southwestern Virginia. Montgomery County
is tied to the world's largest fully interconnected ultra high voltage (765,000 volt)
transmission system that serves 48,000 square miles across portions of seven Midwest states.
Industrial electrical rates in the county are consistently 20 to 30 percent below the national
average. Electric utility bill information as of 2001 for industrial customers in
various cities has been calculated and compiled by the Edison Electric Institute and excerpted
in Industrial Electric Utility Bill Comparisons for Selected U.S. Cities, 2001.
Natural Gas
Natural gas is made available in Montgomery County by United Cities Gas Company and
Roanoke Gas Company. Both have qualified technical staff to assist industrial customers
in efficient utilization of energy and making energy supply decisions.
United Cities Gas Company provides service to the majority of Montgomery County natural gas
consumers. Roanoke Gas Company services only the southeastern portion of the county in the
communities of Elliston and Shawsville.
Telecommunications
Telephone service in Montgomery County is provided by Verizon which deploys a
technologically advanced network that benefits both small and large customers.
Among the advanced products and services offered to customers are:
- Extensive fiber optic mileage throughout the New River Valley
- Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), SDS, Frame Relay, etc.
- Internet solutions providing access to the Internet
- Communication Services such as e-mail, network integration, web sight design, security solutions and consultations
- Custom designed services to enhance business capabilities and maximize productivity.
- Sonet technology which provides reliable networks
- Skilled professional employees providing reliable and efficient installation and repair
Verizon’s Business Rates as of October 2001
| Installation Charge (All of Montgomery County) |
| Single Line: |
$64.00 + $26.80 add. per line |
| Multiple Lines: |
$64.00 + $26.80 add. per line |
| Additional lines after initial installation: |
$17.80 line change charge |
| Monthly Flat Rate |
Blacksburg |
Christiansburg |
| Single line: |
$54.72 |
$54.72 |
| Multiple lines: |
$56.30 |
$56.30 |
| Message Service |
Blacksburg |
Christiansburg |
| Single line: |
$16.89 |
$16.89 |
| Multiple lines: |
$18.47 |
$18.47 |
Cellular phone service is also available throughout Montgomery County and is provided by The Cellular Group, Digital Domain, Inc., KMC Telecom, nTelos, One-Stop Cellular, Sprint PCS, Suncom, Triton Communications Llc., U.S. Cellular, Verizon Wireless, and Wireless Communications Network, Corp.
Water
An abundant water source, large water treatment plant, and extensive distribution
network are all available to support the expansion or location of businesses in
Montgomery County. The New River, the largest river in southwestern Virginia, is the
county’s water source. Draining an area of 2,748 square miles the river provides the
county with an average daily flow of 3.2 billion gallons. Water withdrawn from the river
is pumped to the 12.4 mgd treatment plant of the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-VPI Water Authority.
Finished water is then pumped via twin 16-inch water mains for distribution to the towns
of Blacksburg and Christiansburg and Virginia Tech. Since current water usage averages
only 7 million gallons per day, there is ample water and treatment capacity to support future
development. The table below provides the current capacity, average daily use, and the current storage for the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-VPI Water Authority as of October 2001.
Blacksburg- Christiansburg-VPI Water Authority
| Current Capacity |
12.4 million gpd |
| Average Daily Use |
6.5 million gpd |
| Current Storage |
4.4 million gallons |
In addition to the Water Authority's storage tanks, the towns of Blacksburg
and Christiansburg have storage capacity for 5.53 million gallons and 2.8 million
gallons of water respectively. The town of Christiansburg plans to add an additional 1 million
gallons of storage at Falling Branch Industrial Park.
The Montgomery County Public Service Authority (PSA) serves residents and industries in the
unincorporated areas of Montgomery County. The table that follows shows the water systems in selected
portions of the county which are operated by the PSA and provides information on each system's source, current capacity, average daily use, and current storage. The PSA also purchases water from the
town of Christiansburg to serve the Merrimac area and Shawsville/Elliston areas, from the town of
Blacksburg to serve the Midway and Warm Hearth areas, and from the city of Radford to serve the
Plum Creek and Bethel areas.
Water Systems in Montgomery County Operated by the PSA (As of August 2001)
| System |
Source |
Current Capacity (gpd) |
Average Daily Use (gpd) |
Current Storage (gallons) |
| Bethel |
Radford |
250,000 |
116,000 |
500,000 |
| Elliston / Shawsville |
Christiansburg |
650,000 |
341,000 |
1,385,000 |
| Phillips Acres |
Well |
11,200 |
3,100 |
7,000 |
| Plum Creek |
Radford |
250,000 |
106,000 |
250,000 |
| Prices Fork |
2 Wells |
40,000 |
52,000 |
102,500 |
| Riner |
3 Wells |
76,000 |
54,000 |
301,500 |
| Woodview |
Well |
16,000 |
1,900 |
11,000 |
| Merrimac |
Blacksburg |
190,000 |
49,000 |
5,000 |
| Midway |
Christiansburg |
150,000 |
30,600 |
0 |
| Warm Hearth |
Blacksburg |
130,000 |
35,000 |
0 |
| Belview |
Blacksburg |
250,000 |
35,000 |
0 |
| Jennelle Road |
Blacksburg |
100,000 |
0 |
0 |
| Mudpike |
Christiansburg |
150,000 |
1,4000 |
0 |
Wastewater
Five wastewater treatment plants serve the major drainage basins in the county. The Stroubles
Creek basin, including most of the town of Blacksburg, is served by the Blacksburg-VPI Sanitation
Authority. Most of Christiansburg is in the Crab Creek basin which is served by the town of
Christiansburg's sewage treatment plant. The town of Christiansburg also accepts wastewater
from Montgomery County.
The Montgomery County Public Service Authority (PSA) operates three wastewater treatment plants
in the county. The PSA also pumps wastewater to the Blacksburg-VPI Sanitation Authority, Peppers
Ferry Regional Wastewater Treatment Authority, and the town of Christiansburg for treatment. All
of the systems currently have excess capacity and are expandable to accommodate industrial development.
The table that follows lists the current capacity, average daily use, and plant expansion
potential for each of the wastewater treatment plants serving Montgomery County.
Wastewater Treatment Plants in Montgomery County
| Location |
Current Capacity (gpd) |
Average Daily Use (gpd) |
Available Expansion (gpd) |
| Blacksburg-VPI Sanitation Authority |
9.0 million |
6.0 million |
12.0 million |
| Town of Christiansburg |
3.0 million |
2.0 million |
4.0 million |
Montgomery County PSA
Elliston-Lafayette
Shawsville
Riner
|
250,000
200,000
35,000
|
75,000
90,000
30,000
|
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Water and Sewer Rates for Industrial Customers
The tables below detail the water and sewer rates for the towns of Christiansburg and
Blacksburg and the Montgomery County Public Service Authority.
Water and Sewer Rates --Town of Christiansburg (Bi-Monthly Rates as of 01/00)
| Inside Town Corporate Limits |
Outide Town Corporate Limits |
|
Sewer
$32.00 (for first 8,000 gallons) -Minimum charge
$4.00/1,000 gallons (additional gallons)
Water
$10.00 (for first 4,000 gallons)-Minimum charge
$26.20/1000 gallons (for next 10,000 gallons)
$53.20/1000 gallons (for next 20,000 gallons)
$80.20/1000 gallons(for next 30,000 gallons)
$107.20/1000 gallons (for next 40,000 gallons)
$2.70/1,000 gallons (for next 96,000 gallons)
$2.00/1,000 gallons (for next 5,900,000 gallons)
|
Sewer
$48.00 (for first 8,000 gallons)-Minimum charge
$6.00/1,000 gallons (additional gallons)
Water
$15.00 (for first 4,000 gallons)-Minimum charge
$39.30/1000 gallons (for next 10,000 gallons)
$79.80/1000 gallons (for next 20,000 gallons)
$120.30/1000 gallons (for next 30,000 gallons)
$160.80/1000 gallons (for next 40,000 gallons)
$4.05/1,000 gallons (for next 96,000 gallons)
$3.00/1,000 gallons (for next 5,900,000 gallons)
|
Water and Sewer Rates* -- Town of Blacksburg (Monthly Rates as of 10/03)
| Inside Town Corporate Limits (Bi-monthly) |
Outside Town Corporate Limits |
|
Sewer
$2.09-Fixed Charge (per meter/per month)
$3.48/1,000 gallons
Water
$2.06-Fixed Charge (per meter/per month)
$2.82/1,000 gallons
|
Sewer
$3.66-Fixed Charge (per meter/per month)
$5.64/1,000 gallons
Water
$3.61- Fixed Charge (per meter/per month)
$4.94/1,000 gallons
|
*Water and sewer rates are assessed a fixed charge depending on services received. There is an additional volume charge per 1,000 gallons for both water and sewer.
Water and Sewer Rates --Montgomery County Public Service Authority (Monthly Rates as of 7/03)
| Sewer |
Water |
$5.80 (for first 2,000 gallons)-Minimum Charge
$5.80/1,000 gallons (for next 8,000 gallons)
$5.80/1,000 gallons (for next 20,000 gallons)
$5.80/1,000 gallons (for next 70,000 gallons)
$5.80/1,000 gallons (for next 200,000 gallons)
$5.80/1,000 gallons (for next 200,000 gallons)
$5.80/1,000 gallons (for next 200,000 gallons)
|
$5.65 (for first 2,000 gallons)-Minimum Charge
$5.65/1,000 gallons (for next 8,000 gallons)
$5.65/1,000 gallons (for next 20,000 gallons)
$5.65/1,000 gallons (for next 70,000 gallons)
$5.65/1,000 gallons (for next 200,000 gallons)
$5.65/1,000 gallons (for next 200,000 gallons)
$5.65/1,000 gallons (for next 200,000 gallons)
|
Solid Waste Disposal
Commercial industries are responsible for making arrangements for garbage pick up and
disposal. The Town of Blacksburg and Montgomery County do not offer commercial waste pick
up. These services may be contracted independently from a waste management group. The Town
of Christiansburg does offer commercial garbage pick up.
The Montgomery Regional Solid Waste Authority operates a solid waste transfer station from
its location at 555 County Drive Off off US 460. Solid waste is brought to the transfer station
where it is processed and prepared for hauling to the New River Resource Authority’s landfill in
Pulaski County. The tipping fee for solid waste is $53.00 per ton. Payment is due per disposal,
unless a charge account is established. In order to be eligible for an account, 5 tons or more must
be brought in on a monthly basis.
With regard to industrial waste, non-hazardous waste is accepted if criteria set forth in
VR 672-20-10, Chapter 8 are met. The Commonwealth of Virginia does not have a landfill permitted
for disposal of hazardous waste. Hazardous waste may be stored in Virginia until it can be exported
to a permitted location outside the state boundaries.
Recycling
There are many resources available for recycling in Montgomery County. The Montgomery
Regional Solid Waste Authority operates a recycling processing facility. Recyclables
purchased are aluminum cans, scrap, foil, and unclean or irony aluminum, brass, copper
and radiators (radiators with iron attachments will not be accepted). The MRSWA also accepts by
donation glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles resin #1 and resin#2, newspaper, sorted white
ledger and mixed paper, corrugated cardboard boxes, used motor oil, antifreeze and automobile batteries. The County accepts certain recyclables at the consolidated sites.
The Town of Blacksburg offers curbside pickup of recyclables for residential areas. Recyclables
should be placed in a blue recycle bin available at no charge from the Blacksburg Municipal Building.
Both the Towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg offer drop off sites for various recyclables.
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