Planning underway for a new water tank in Seven Corners
Fairfax Water plans to begin construction of a new, larger water tank in the Willston area of Seven Corners in late 2027.
The new tank will be located in the Seven Corners Apartments complex next to Upton Hill Regional Park, a short distance from the existing water tank.
“The existing tank is 75 years old and is reaching the end of its useful life,” project manager Anne James told residents at a community meeting on July 14, presented in Spanish as well as English, at the Willston Multicultural Center. Fairfax Water determined that additional storage space is needed to accommodate future growth.
The existing tank has a capacity of 200,000 gallons. The new tank will hold 1 million gallons and will be 20 feet higher.
The new tank will serve the same area as the old one, including parts of Fairfax County, Arlington, and Falls Church.
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To accommodate the new tank, the buildings at 2933 and 2935 Patrick Henry Drive will be demolished. According to James, relocation assistance will be provided for the residents of the 12 affected units. A playground next to that building will be relocated, but a new site hasn’t been determined.
The existing water tank will be demolished after the new tank is completed.
The new site was selected because the existing transmission infrastructure is in place, it’s one of the highest elevations within the zone, and the owner of the Seven Corners Apartments supports the project.
A new water main, consisting of 1,800 feet of 24-inch and 16-inch pipe, will connect the new tank to the water main on Arlington Boulevard. Fencing and a landscaping buffer will be installed around the site of the new tank.
Fairfax County is currently reviewing a zoning special exception under the 2232 process for public facilities. Design and permitting are expected to be completed in 2026-27.
Fairfax Water hopes to start construction of the new water tank in late 2027. It is expected to be completed in 2029. The new water mains would be installed in 2028-29.
The existing water tank would be demolished in 2030. A boundary stone next to the tank, erected in 1791 or 1792 marking the original boundary of the District of Columbia, would remain in place.