Rivanna Drains Moores Creek Pond for Repairs

Crews at the Moores Creek wastewater plant are emptying one of two holding ponds to inspect and repair cracked concrete.

Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Utilities

Photograph of a partly drained concrete holding basin with a cracked floor and dark sludge line along the walls, with a rolling green landscape and tree line beyond. — Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority is draining one of two holding ponds at its Moores Creek plant in Charlottesville to repair cracked concrete. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Would you accept temporary stronger odors near your home for necessary local utility repairs?

The Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority is draining one of the two holding ponds at its Moores Creek wastewater plant. Removing settled solids from the pond may produce a stronger odor for nearby residents.

Why it matters

Cracks in the concrete must be addressed to prevent larger failures at the Moores Creek plant. Residents near the Charlottesville facility should expect temporary odor changes while the work proceeds.

The Moores Creek plant has two holding ponds, and one is currently being drained. Bulk solids removal is expected to take about two weeks, though the cost of the repairs was not disclosed.

The players

Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority

The regional utility that operates the Moores Creek wastewater plant and is conducting the pond repairs.

The details

Crews are removing settled solids to empty the pond, after which they will look for cracks in the concrete. Odors are expected to fade quickly once the solids removal is complete.

Work on the pond began in early November 2026, with the notice published November 8.
Bulk solids removal is expected to take about two weeks from the start of work.

Utility Infrastructure Upkeep

Draining and inspecting wastewater holding basins is a routine maintenance cycle that utilities use to catch structural cracks before they become larger failures. The Moores Creek work follows that same pattern at the Charlottesville plant.

Residents near the Moores Creek plant may notice a stronger odor while solids are removed from the pond. The odor is expected to fade quickly once that work is finished.

The takeaway

Routine maintenance like this is what keeps wastewater infrastructure functioning, so short-term odors are a trade-off for longer-term reliability. Nearby residents can expect the impact to be brief.