RICHMOND, Va. — Residents in Richmond are hopeful as Mayor Avula announced at a press conference Tuesday morning that water pressure is expected to be restored in about 4 to 6 hours. However, a boil water advisory remains in place and is anticipated to last approximately 48 hours due to ongoing challenges.
During the press conference, Mayor Avula detailed the efforts by him and the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) staff who have been working tirelessly overnight to restore functionality at the city’s water treatment plant. As of Tuesday morning, two pumps are operational and filling one of the water tanks, which Avula described as “the most positive step we’ve had in the last 12 hours.”
In the meantime, residents with running water are encouraged to conserve water. To assist those in need, the City of Richmond, in partnership with the American Red Cross, started distributing bottled water on Monday to vulnerable populations, including those in public housing, homeless service providers, and residences housing older adults. This outreach effort aims to meet the needs of high-priority areas and will continue over the coming days.
The crisis is attributed to a “winter weather-related power outage” that occurred Monday morning at the water treatment facility along the James River. A city spokesperson explained that the power disruption led to a flooding event in the plant’s filter gallery, crucial for water treatment, resulting in halted water production. Despite the interruption, safe water continued to flow to homes until a Boil Water Advisory was issued Monday afternoon.
Many residents experienced low or no water pressure prior to the official notification from city leaders regarding the plant issues. Mayor Avula acknowledged the communication delay, emphasizing the importance of coordinating with regional partners to ensure that all residents received clear and direct information about the situation.
The Virginia Department of Health is working closely with city officials to monitor water safety. The boil water advisory will remain in effect until testing protocols are completed and approved. The mayor reassured the public that water will be confirmed safe to drink once testing is conducted at various points, followed by a follow-up test 16 hours later. The necessary precautions were put in place to safeguard public health during this time, with the last boil water advisory issued in 2003 during Hurricane Isabel.
As the city navigates through this water crisis, residents are advised to follow several safety and conservation tips, which include avoiding tap water for drinking, cooking, or washing dishes, and conserving water usage where possible.
This situation serves as a reminder of the importance of community and cooperation during challenging times. The city’s responsiveness and proactive measures, including water distribution efforts, demonstrate a commitment to ensuring the well-being of all residents. As water pressure is restored, it is hopeful that the city will swiftly return to normalcy.