PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 23, 2026

Town of Colonial Beach Provides Update on Wastewater Treatment Plant Incident

Colonial Beach, VA — The Town of Colonial Beach reports that a wastewater overflow incident occurred at the Town’s Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) at approximately 3:30 a.m. on March 23, 2026, in the digester tank area. A pump was not deactivated as intended, resulting in an overflow of less than 5,000 gallons onto the ground within the immediate area of the facility.

The overflow was contained on-site and did not leave the wastewater treatment plant. There is no risk to the public, nearby waterways, or surrounding areas.

Town staff, in coordination with Inboden Environmental Services (IES), responded promptly to the incident. The affected area was cleaned, all free-standing liquid was removed, and lime was applied. Additional stabilization measures, including the application of straw and seed, were implemented.

An internal review determined the incident resulted from operator error. Appropriate corrective action has been taken, and the individual involved is no longer employed.

There was no impact to public drinking water, and the incident remained fully contained within the treatment plant site.

The Town of Colonial Beach remains committed to maintaining safe, reliable, and compliant operations and will continue to reinforce procedures and oversight to prevent a recurrence.

/DocumentCenter/View/3135

COLONIAL BEACH, VA, February 23, 2026 — Following a comprehensive review

conducted by the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations, the

Northumberland Commonwealth Attorney’s Office concluded that there was no probable

cause to pursue criminal charges against the officers involved.

Northumberland Commonwealth Attorney Jane Wrightson determined that the force used

was directed toward gaining control of the subject and found no evidence of racial bias.

These conclusions were reached after a thorough review of all available evidence.

With the criminal review complete, the Police Department will now proceed with an internal

administrative review to ensure all policies and procedures were followed. An independent

consultant has been engaged to assist in this process to reinforce fairness, objectivity, and

accountability.

The Town values transparency and public trust and remains committed to a full and fair

review of this matter. The Town appreciates the community’s patience and confidence in

the independent review process. The Town also extends its sincere appreciation to the

Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations and the Northumberland

Commonwealth Attorney’s Office for conducting a full and unbiased review of this incident.

###

• Starting Salary: $50,996.88 – $63,218.93
• DCJS Certified Officers Preferred
• Career Development Program
• Take-home Car Program (within 30 miles of Town)
• Virginia State Retirement (LEOS) with 1.85% Hazardous Duty Multiplier
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Paid Vacation, Sick Leave, and Holiday Time

The award represents a significant achievement by the entity. It reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting. In order to receive the budget award, the entity had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines are designed to assess how well an entity's budget serves as:

▪ a policy document

▪ a financial plan

▪ an operations guide

▪ a communications device

Budget documents must be rated "proficient" in all four categories, and in the fourteen mandatory criteria within those categories, to receive the award. There are over 1,900 participants in the Budget Awards Program. The most recent Budget Award recipients, along with their corresponding budget documents, are posted quarterly on GFOA's website. Award recipients have pioneered efforts to improve the quality of budgeting and provide an excellent example for other governments throughout North America.

This accreditation is a significant achievement that demonstrates the department’s compliance with established professional standards for law enforcement agencies across the Commonwealth. The accreditation process included a comprehensive review of department policies, procedures, operations, and practices, followed by an on-site assessment conducted by independent evaluators.

The DCJS accreditation program promotes the highest levels of professionalism, integrity, and accountability. By meeting these standards, the Colonial Beach Police Department affirms its ongoing commitment to quality service and continuous improvement in public safety.

Accreditation is a multi-year process that requires agencies to demonstrate compliance with rigorous standards across areas such as leadership, training, use of force, community engagement, and records management. To maintain accredited status, the department will continue to undergo periodic reviews and assessments.

This accomplishment reflects the hard work and dedication of the entire department and reinforces its mission to serve the Colonial Beach community with excellence.