This article is from Tuesday, May 27. Find the latest updates on the boil water advisory here.
RICHMOND, Va. — Richmond Mayor Danny Avula provided another update at 8:30 p.m., following one in the afternoon, to the water boil advisory that was issued Tuesday morning for numerous Richmond neighborhoods.
Click here to view a searchable map of the impacted area.
In the 8:30 p.m. press conference, Richmond Mayor Danny Avula said the first of two sets of water samples necessary to lift the boil water advisory had been taken. The next samples will be taken within 16 to 24 hours.
He added that, at this point, the earliest the advisory could be lifted is mid-day on Thursday, May 29.
You can watch the entire 8:30 p.m. press conference in the video box below.
There are both similarities and differences between Tuesday's issues at the city's water treatment plant and the one that knocked out water service to much of the city and parts of surrounding counties back in January.
Scroll down for a summary of Tuesday afternoon's press conference. You can watch the entire press conference in the video box below.
Current Situation
- Richmond is experiencing water pressure issues due to filter clogging at water treatment plants
- A boil water advisory has been issued for the Ginter Park Tank zone (map available at rva.gov)
- The boil water advisory was expanded to include some areas on the Southside at 5:52 p.m.
- Current water production is 40-45 million gallons per day
- Reservoir levels are slowly recovering
- The issue began with increased sedimentation clogging filters overnight
- After initial repairs, filters re-clogged, causing production drops and pressure falling below 20 psi in one zone
Timeline for Resolution
- Officials are monitoring pressure levels
- Once pressure is restored above 20 psi, water sampling will begin
- Two samples must be taken 16-24 hours apart
- Total time from pressure restoration to lifting the advisory is approximately 48 hours
Key Differences from January's Water Crisis
- In January, pumps were non-functional and not producing water
- Currently, the system is producing water (40-45 MGD) but at reduced capacity
- The current issue affects a smaller area (Ginter Park Tank zone only)
Impact on Services
- Hospitals in the affected zone (including VCU Hospital and Retreat Hospital) have been notified
- Restaurants and offices can remain open but must follow boil water advisory guidelines
- 21 Richmond Public Schools are in the affected zone; RPS will make decisions about operations
Communication Issues
- Some residents reported not receiving Richmond Ready alerts
- Officials recommend residents verify they are signed up for Richmond Ready notifications
- The city is using media advisories, website updates, and 311 to communicate
Cause and Prevention
- Raw water quality decreased, requiring additional filter backwashing
- The sedimentation basin had "very poor raw quality" affecting multiple filters simultaneously
- Officials stated the upcoming rain is not expected to worsen the situation
- Mayor Avula acknowledged the need for continued system investment and improved protocols
Here are some questions and answers addressed at the press conference:
Q: What is the current status of the water treatment facilities in Richmond?
A: The water treatment facilities have been restored to full capacity, producing 40 to 45 million gallons of water per day. Monitoring is ongoing for water pressure and reservoir levels, especially in the areas affected by the recent issues.
Q: How is the boil water advisory communicated to residents?
A: Communication about the boil water advisory is primarily done through media advisories, the city’s website, and the 311 service. Residents are encouraged to sign up for Richmond Ready alerts for timely updates.
Q: What caused the filter clogging issues in the water system?
A: The clogging of filters was due to a decrease in raw water quality, which necessitated more frequent backwashing. This situation was noted to be unusual, as multiple filters were impacted simultaneously.
Q: How are institutions like hospitals and restaurants managing during the boil water advisory?
A: Hospitals and restaurants in the affected area are operating under the boil water advisory. They have received guidance to ensure safe operations during this period.
Q: Why is the water appearing murky?
A: The murkiness of the water is attributed to raw water quality issues. Ongoing sampling and testing are being conducted to ensure safety and reliability.
Q: What are the plans for preventing future water quality issues?
A: Long-term prevention plans are still in development. However, there is an emphasized need for increased capacity in water storage and distribution systems as part of ongoing improvements.
Q: How are residents under the boil water advisory being supported?
A: Residents can still use tap water after boiling it. There are plans being discussed for potential bottled water distribution to assist communities that may find compliance with the advisory challenging.
This is a developing story. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom if you have additional information to share.
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