Buckland
Who is Buckland Water & Sanitation Assets Corporation (Buckland)?
Buckland owns the Vint Hill water system, which serves about 400 homes and businesses in the area of the former U.S. Army Vint Hill Farms Station (VHFS). In September 1997 the former VHFS was transferred to the Vint Hill Farms Economic Development Authority (VHEDA). In 2014 Vint Hill Village, LLC, an entity engaged in property development and an affiliate of Buckland, purchased much of the undeveloped VHFS property and remaining assets from the VHEDA, and Buckland was organized to own, manage, and operate public utilities, including specifically the water service and maintenance of the sewer infrastructure located on the former VHFS. However, FCWSA has operated the water system, billed the water system’s customers, and provided customer service for over twenty years under contract to Buckland. Vint Hill water and wastewater customers pay the same rates as all other FCWSA customers.
Who is Fauquier County Water and Sanitation Authority (FCWSA)?
FCWSA is a local governmental organization that owns and operates fourteen water systems and three wastewater systems across Fauquier County, and provides wastewater service to homes and businesses in Vint Hill. When the VHFS closed in 1997, FCWSA acquired the wastewater treatment plant in Vint Hill from the Army, and working with Fauquier County, rebuilt the facility into the modern award-winning WWTP that serves the community today. Although FCWSA has operated the drinking water system and provided customer service for over twenty years under contract to the VHEDA and now Buckland, FCWSA has never actually owned the drinking water system. Vint Hill water and wastewater customers pay the same rates as all other FCWSA customers.
FCWSA was chartered by the Fauquier County Board of Supervisors in 1964 to own and operate water and sewer systems in Fauquier County, and is governed by a five-member Board. Individual Board Members are appointed by the Fauquier County Board of Supervisors and serve four-year terms. The Authority derives no revenues from County taxes. This means all Authority income is received either as user fees from customers, which go towards operating expenses, or as developer fees which are used to pay for capital improvements.
Why is the Buckland Water and Sanitation Assets Corporation (Buckland) being sold?
On October 10, 2025, Buckland and FCWSA jointly petitioned the State Corporation Commission (SCC) to authorize the sale of the Vint Hill Waterworks to FCWSA. As stated in the Order of Notice and Comment, the agreement was reached because “over the long-term, [FCWSA] would be better equipped and will have better resources to supply the needs of property owners in the Vint Hill area.”
Why did I receive an Order from the State Corporation Commission (SCC)?
Buckland is a privately owned entity providing drinking water service in Vint Hill, and is therefore a utility regulated by the SCC – just like many other utilities. Consequently, the SCC must authorize transactions related to the water system. Buckland and FCWSA jointly petitioned the SCC to authorize the sale of the Vint Hill Waterworks to FCWSA. The SCC issued the Order and required FCWSA and Buckland to mail the Order to all customers.
What do I have to do?
Because FCWSA has been managing Buckland's billing and customer services for more than 20 years, this change in ownership requires no action on your part, and there is no need to make any new billing arrangements.
After approval of the sale, Buckland and FCWSA will work to ensure a seamless transition. Once the sale is complete, Buckland will have no further responsibilities over the water system.
What am I going to be charged?
You will be charged the same rates as other FCWSA customers. For FCWSA's current rate chart, visit www.fcwsa.org/user-rates-1.
After reading the Order, I have a few questions. Who can I contact for answers?
If you would like to speak with an FCWSA representative about the sale, please email customerservice@fcwsa.org or call (540) 349-2092 during normal business hours. An FAQ has been posted to our website at www.fcwsa.org/Buckland.
If you would like to speak with a Buckland representative about the sale, please email bwsacinfo@gmail.com or call (540) 428-5388.
After reading the Order, I have some comments I'd like to make? Where can I make them?
Interested parties may file comments about the sale on or before January 5, 2026, by following the instructions found at scc.virginia.gov/case-information/submit-public-comments. They may also submit comments by mail to the Clerk of the State Corporation Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, Virginia 23218-2118. All comments must refer to Case No. PUR-2025-00183.
The mailing and Order are available here: