Willful Negligence at Christendom

For a school that charges students just over $45,000 a year, you’d think that Christendom College would have a wastewater treatment plant that didn’t require staff to frequently bucket poo out of their clarifier to keep “too much volume” from overwhelming their system. They conveniently left that detail out of the FAQ document issued in response to valid concerns about solids being washed into the Shenandoah River.

A Department of Environmental Quality Reconnaissance Inspection Report dated October 23rd, 2024, states:  “Solids were observed throughout the entire reach of the UT (~390 feet). Solids were dark to light brown and floating on the surface of the stream. The solids accumulation within the stream averaged 2-4 inches thick.

Mr. Wynn asked Mr. Boyd how the solids were removed from the impacted area as described in the 24-hour notification. Mr. Boyd said the operator used a hose to wash the solids downstream from the outfall, and no solids were physically removed from the stream.”

No solids were physically removed from the stream, which directly contradicts previous statements from Christendom College and the DEQ.

Christendom College has defined its UT (unnamed tributary) as a dry ditch that only flows after heavy rains. View any of the photos taken by the DEQ over the last seven years, and you’ll see that this isn’t the case—it’s clearly a creek that connects directly to the Shenandoah River.

This inspection report comes after a Notice of Violation issued in May of 2024 when solids were previously found in their UT. Solids, that I’m sure, were hosed into the river as well since it appears that this was Christendom’s standard procedure for treatment. Over the school’s 40+ year history, I can only imagine how many other times solids were intentionally washed into the Shenandoah.

For a plant the size of Christendom’s, the DEQ would only routinely inspect their facility ONCE every 5 YEARS. Of course, they would follow up if they received an inquiry or complaint, but essentially, they rely on accurate information from SELF REPORTS. Since April 2018, Christendom has been inspected by DEQ 5 times – each time resulting in a Notice of Violation. Considering that the school outright lied in their statement to the public, how can we trust that they’re reporting at all, let alone correct information?

The current capacity of Christendom College’s system is 25,000 gallons per day. The Virginia Department of Health states proper onsite sewage should consider 75 gallons per day per full-time occupant. Christendom boasts housing for 400 students in their Residence Halls. They self-reported an average usage of 8,000 gallons per day between April 2024 and May 2025. Even if those extremely low numbers are somehow accurate, essentially, the system is failing and releasing solids when at only 30% of their capacity. What would happen if the plant were to reach full capacity? Say during a graduation event? I guess that’s where the buckets and hose come in handy.

The DEQ is currently negotiating a consent order with Christendom College—yes, negotiating. Christendom gets to help decide their compliance. Once a final consent order is issued, there is a 30-day public comment period. I’ve started a petition urging the DEQ to stay firm against Christendom College—do not negotiate. Revoke their permit now. I strongly encourage you all to do the same.

Sign the petition here: https://chng.it/5P2CFnhNsN

Samantha Ruibal
Shenandoah Shores, VA

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