RICHMOND, Va. — Richmond officials have lifted a three-day boil water advisory after identifying the root cause of water treatment problems that affected residents on both sides of the city.
The advisory, which began Tuesday on the city's Northside before expanding to areas south of the river, was officially lifted at 2:30 p.m. following a second negative test of water quality.
Richmond Mayor Danny Avula and Department of Public Utilities Director Scott Morris explained that high turbidity in the James River allowed sediment to enter the water treatment plant's filters, causing a clogging problem.
Officials identified "alum sludge" as the specific cause of the filter clogging.
This chemical, used to capture sediment during the water treatment process, brings particles down onto plate settlers to prevent them from reaching the filters.
On Tuesday, CBS 6 investigative reporter Tyler Layne found out an apparent maintenance request dated May 12 showed that plate settlers, a type of sediment filter at the plant, were noted as needing be cleaned to "remove alum sludge." But it appears the May 12 maintenance request was not immediately fulfilled.
The work order was updated with an action item that stated an employee requested on May 14 for plate settlers to be "thoroughly washed and cleaned" but they were "informed by operations this was not a good time" and it would need to be done at a later date.
Watch: Work order apparently delayed
"We are implementing a new maintenance policy to ensure these filters and settlers are cleaned on a regular basis," Morris said.
Avula acknowledged the city's frustration, particularly after recently experiencing another water crisis.
"We are working to address things as quickly as we can, but it could take several years to develop a new culture in the city of Richmond to stop things like this from happening in the future," Avula said.
Again, a boil water advisory caused by an operational issue at Richmond's water treatment plant earlier this week has been lifted by VDH.
The advisory has been lifted after two sets of water samples came back negative for any harmful bacteria, with one taken Tuesday night and the other midday Wednesday.
“I’m deeply grateful to the residents and businesses for enduring this unexpected boil water advisory,” said Mayor Danny Avula in the announcement. “Residents and businesses expect better, and I am as committed as ever to finding the problems and fixing them. Doing this work requires being honest about what’s working and what’s not and I pledge my ongoing commitment to doing just that.”
Residents and businesses can safely resume using their household and commercial water as normal. Food service establishments impacted by the advisory can find guidance on resuming food service operations on VDH’s website.
The advisory initially impacted some neighborhoods midday Tuesday, later expanding to areas on the city's south side.
The announcement also said the city will share information from an initial after-action assessment "as soon as possible."
The City of Richmond's Water Treatment Plant has experienced its third water issue in five months, prompting questions about the reliability of the city's water system and when residents can expect consistent service.
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Richmond faces 3rd water issue in 5 months: 'Is it normal?'
Records reviewed by CBS 6 could shed light on the problems at Richmond's Water Treatment Plant leading up to the boil water advisory.
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Work order shows cleaning of Richmond water plant filters was apparently delayed
This is a developing story. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom if you have additional information to share.
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