Frankie Says RELAC: Don't Do It (Or What Happens When The Price of Tepid Lake Water Goes Up 56 Percent)

Now that we've gotten our obligatory '80s pun out of the way, let's revisit everyone's favorite "alternative" cooling system, which pipes tepid Lake Anne water through tubes to "cool" various Lake Anne homes, much like that other passing fad, "air conditioning." But hey -- it's silent, which means you can sweat in peace and quiet!

Anyhoo! Aqua Virginia, the cleverly named company that runs the series of tubes, has applied to the State Regulatory Commission for a 56 percent rate increase. People in the clusters surrounding the lake are not happy, and the Reston Association facilitated a public meeting a week or so back for affected residents. Here's what they learned:

The average increase Aqua is asking for RELAC customers is about 56% over existing tariffs, which have not been changed since Aqua bought the company. The documents filed with the SCC indicate that RELAC is steadily losing money and a significant increase is needed to keep RELAC solvent. We were aware of their intent to file for an increase, as the General Manager of Aqua VA, Greg O'Dell, had met several times with a group of affected cluster presidents during the past year and mentioned that they were planning to request a “long overdue” rate increase.

A different cluster board had this to say:

We plan to appeal on the basis that the 56% increase is unreasonable for service that is less that satisfactory. The County will present technical objections to the financial aspects of Aqua's case. There will be a hearing before the Commission in Richmond at 1000 AM on April 20, 2010 and then, nearby thanks to our Supervisor, Cathy Hudgins, at the Government Center on May 3, 2010 at 700 PM.

With its well-intentioned attempt to revolutionize a basic amenity, RELAC is classic '60s Reston, idealistic if not always practical. While many grumble about its lack of efficiency, or actual ability to cool buildings, some people truly like the fact that they can sit out on their decks in the summer without hearing the drone of dozens of air conditioning units. Still others find ways to get medical waivers and put in classy window A/C units and whatnot.

Apparently Aqua Virginia hasn't had any luck finding a buyer for the system, which is a bit of a problem. As much as people may grumble about the service, they'll grumble more if it goes completely out of business.

Update: Following three days of way-above-average temperatures, the natives in the RELAC-intensive clusters around the lake are getting restless. Here's a taste of what's being said on their fancy "list-serv" machines:

I will report that I got two hours of "half-sleep" last night. Our house was 88 degrees with all the windows open and fans on upstairs and downstairs. I was joking with my wife that we should go "tea party," install some window units, and see if a court would enforce a covenant that makes it illegal to air condition your home on a 93 degree day. (And even if they did, hey, we'd have a comfortable house for a few weeks while the lawyers fought about it:)

Again, that was just a household joke, but this week makes it clearer than ever we need new alternatives. This situation is untenable, and the huge pending rate increase just adds insult to injury.

[snip]

I am close to certain that the contract states that in instances where the temperature is 80 or above for three days in a row, they will turn it on. That being said, they have rarely done so in my 11.5 years here.

[snip]

I'm not sure Aqua could turn the system on early this year. I just walked by their plant near North Shore (on my way somewhere else, I wasn't planning sabotage ;) and they have a back-hoe working near the water intact area dredging that area out. From my observations, they tend to do work like this before the start of each cooling season and it lasts several days.

Awesome. Can't wait for that cool sludge to get flowing!