Can a localitys Capital Improvements Program (CIP) play a role in ground water protection?
• Often included as an element in a comprehensive plan, a capital improvements program – or CIP – provides a schedule for financing, constructing, repairing, or replacing major public facilities needed by a locality. Section 15.2-2239 of the Code of Virginia permits a locality to prepare a capital improvements program based upon its comprehensive plan, but does not make it mandatory. It states that: • Capital improvements planning is an important component of a ground water protection program, given the role that local government infrastructure plays in fostering development. In planning areas for future development, local governments must ensure that there will be adequate potable water supplies. If ground water is to be relied on as the primary source of drinking water, this means considering the need for and the location of new wellfields. In addition, furnishing infrastructure to a region, or not doing so, can act as a means of locating future development in areas away from wellhea
