As the unhoused encampment by the Rivanna River near Free Bridge grows, so have community concerns about sanitation—even though recent tests show very low levels of harmful bacteria in the water downstream. New temporary facilities provided by the city could help both the river and its new residents until Charlottesville can find a better solution.
The city has placed two portable toilets, two handwashing stations, and a large garbage container on city-owned land leased by the Rivanna River Company south of Free Bridge, between the northern and southern portions of the encampment.
Gabe Silver, Rivanna River Co. co-founder, says the new amenities started arriving June 17. His company’s part of a public spaces working group, along with other local advocates, who’ve been working with the city for four months to add portable toilets. Silver says the toilets will be checked, cleaned, and restocked three times a week…