SPORTS: Osbourn High boys soccer team is 6-0 and looking dangerous again. PAGE 11
April 6, 2023 | Vol. 22, No. 14 | www.princewilliamtimes.com | $1.00 Covering Prince William County and surrounding communities, including Gainesville, Haymarket, Dumfries, Occoquan, Quantico and the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park.
Eastern PWC water exceeds limit on ‘forever chemicals’ By Anya Sczerzenie Times Staff Writer
As the Environmental Protection Agency prepares to regulate a group of chemicals called PFAS in drinking water throughout the country, a preliminary test in 2021 showed that the water on the eastern side of Prince William County, which comes from the Occoquan Reservoir, was over the newly proposed limit. PFAS is an abbreviation for perfluoroalkyl and poly-
fluoroalkyl substances. These are chemicals that come from many products that people use every day, including nonstick pans, water-resistant clothing, fire-resistant foam and food packaging. Though their use in manufacturing has been phased out in the United States, they remain in the environment for a long time, and products containing them are still used.
Prince William Service Authority PFAS water testing
In May 2021, the PWCSA voluntarily participated in a Virginia Department of Health study to analyze PFAS in water samples. Samples were collected from its East and West systems and sent to an independent laboratory selected by the Virginia Department of Health. Results for PFOA and PFOS are below.
Proposed MCL East system Compound (enforceable levels) entry point PFOA
4 ppt
5.5 ppt
PFOS
4 ppt
4.1 ppt
West system/ West system/City Fairfax Water of Manassas under reporting under reporting limit limit under reporting under reporting limit limit
SOURCE: PRINCE WILLIAM SERVICE AUTHORITY
See WATER, page 2
Police Chief Peter Newsham
Police chief: Rise in violent crime ‘concerning’ By Anya Sczerzenie Times Staff Writer
PHOTOS BY DOUG STROUD
IT’S TULIP TIME: Burnside Farms, in Nokesville, opened on Tuesday, April 4 for its three-week “spring festival” of blooms. The farm is reporting its largest opening day bloom since it opened in 2012. This year, Burnside planted about 3 million bulbs in 150 varieties of tulips and daffodils, according to owner Leslie Dawley. The farm is located at 11008 Kettle Run Road in Nokesville and is open most days from noon to 8 p.m. Tickets are sold in advance. Visit burnsidefarms.com for more info.
McKay Used Books celebrates its 40th anniversary, page 8
Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears touts early voting during Woodbridge speech, page 4
Prince William County’s crime rate in 2022 rose to its highest level since 2015, with an increase in aggravated assaults and homicides that Police Chief Peter Newsham calls “concerning”. In 2022, 20 people were killed in 15 separate incidents. That’s the highest one-year number of homicide victims in the county since 2016, when there were 22. The number has almost doubled from 11 homicides in 2021. “It’s very concerning to see 20 homicides in our community,” Newsham said during a presentation to the Prince William Board of County Supervisors on Tuesday, April 4. “That’s 20 unnecessary losses of life.” The majority of last year’s homicide victims - 16 - were shot to death, while two were stabbed. Most victims knew their killers, according to police information. Eighteen of See CRIME, page 2
88 DULLES, VA