About Us

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About Us

Established in 1952, AlexRenew’s mission is to treat wastewater to protect public health
and the waterways that connect us.

AlexRenew is governed by a five-member citizen Board of Directors and is a political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Virginia created under the Virginia Water and Waste Authorities Act. Recognized as an independent, special-purpose government unit, AlexRenew's 130+ employees manage wastewater for more than 300,000 people in Alexandria, Virginia and parts of Fairfax County, Virginia. AlexRenew staff are guided by the vision that every drop of water contributes to a thriving community and healthy environment for all.

AlexRenew currently maintains capital assets valued at approximately $1.2 billion and treats approximately 38 MGD (up to 116 MGD during wet weather) of wastewater at its WRRF, located in Alexandria, Virginia.

Environmental Sustainability

Each year, AlexRenew helps improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay by removing over 2,400 tons of nitrogen, 300 tons of phosphorus, and reducing bacteria to near zero levels.

Additionally, the authority reuses 1 billion gallons of treated wastewater in our operations, reducing our potable water demand by about 97 percent. Our team also captures methane from the digestion process and uses it to power processes on AlexRenew's wastewater treatment plant, offsetting 50 percent of its natural gas needs.

AlexRenew's Environmental Center is the first LEED Platinum building in Alexandria. It is equipped with about 420 solar panels that generate 13 percent of the building’s electricity. Within is an educational lobby and 6th floor conference space open to the public use. On average, we host 200 people per month. A popular athletic field located directly behind the Environmental Center sits atop a storage tank associated with our wastewater treatment process.

In addition, AlexRenew is overseeing RiverRenew, the largest infrastructure project in the history of Alexandria. Once complete, it will prevent over 120 million gallons of combined sewage from entering Alexandria’s waterways each year.

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AlexRenew in Urban Area

What We Do

Ever wonder what happens to the water that goes down the drain in Alexandria? The City of Alexandria’s underground pipes and AlexRenew’s interceptor sewer system, pump stations, and treatment facility play an integral role in treating wastewater before it is released back into our waterways

AlexRenew Wastewater Treatment Plant

Our Strategic Plan

AlexRenew's Strategic Plan provides the path forward to deliver next-level solutions to those we serve, allowing our team to build a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable organization
on our way to fulfilling our vision.

AlexRenew Treatment Plant, facing west.

Leadership

AlexRenew is overseen by a Board of Directors - five citizens appointed by the Alexandria City Council to four-year staggered terms. Board members are responsible for the oversight of AlexRenew and its compliance with the Virginia Water and Wastewater Authorities Act and all environmental regulations.

Alex at community event

Community Benefit Policy

As a public authority in the Commonwealth of Virginia, AlexRenew is committed to integrating community benefits into its programs and initiatives. This policy affirms our dedication to creating lasting, positive impacts across all communities we serve, and supports the philosophy that fostering a strong relationship with the community is equally beneficial to AlexRenew.

Old Town

Environmental Justice Policy

AlexRenew affirms and commits to pursuing the goals of environmental justice to prevent and mitigate disproportionate environmental impacts of its activities on the community it serves. AlexRenew firmly believes that everyone is entitled to safe sanitation and clean waterways at an affordable rate, that no group should bear a disproportionate share of environmental burdens, and that all groups should benefit equitably from environmental improvements resulting from AlexRenew’s programs.

Hazel the TBM is lowered into the shaft

Major Projects

AlexRenew’s major projects are a vital investment in the public health of the community we serve, and a commitment to preparing for a future with continued access to clean water and healthy waterways.

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Budget and Reports

Each year, AlexRenew develops a fiscal year (FY) budget to plan for annual expenses from the operations of AlexRenew facilities and necessary capital improvements and upgrades. The annual budgets and additional documents produced during the year are made available below.

AlexRenew 1950s

Our History

AlexRenew (formerly Alexandria Sanitation Authority) was created in 1952 to build, operate and maintain a new sewage treatment system to serve Alexandria and parts of Fairfax County, which made good engineering and financial sense. At that time, the Potomac River was choked with raw sewage, which posed a severe health threat to the community. We haven’t stopped protecting our community’s health and the environment since our first day of plant operation in July 1956.

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Environmental Sustainability

AlexRenew is committed to being good stewards of our resources to minimize our impact on the environment

Click here for more information about the rights of requesters and the responsibilities of AlexRenew under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.