WASHINGTON - The City of Richmond and surrounding Henrico County are under a water boil advisory after a snow-related power outage impacted Richmond’s main water plant along the James River.
According to city officials, Monday’s winter storm caused a power outage at the water plant and interfered with the "uninterrupted power supply." They say this allowed untreated water to flood an intermediate part of the treatment process called the filter gallery.
The filter gallery contains critical water infrastructure, like pumps, filters, and electrical systems and water production had to be halted because of the gallery flood.
The city says normally, water is pulled from the James River and pumped into the water plant where it goes through a refinement and filtration process, which removes bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
When staff discovered the flood issue, the city says they stopped the flow of contaminated water and around 4:30 p.m. Monday, a water boil advisory was issued.
The advisory applies to all residents served by the City of Richmond’s water system. Richmond Mayor Danny Avula says the advisory should be lifted in the next 24 to 48 hours, once water quality testing is completed.
In the meantime, Mayor Avula has also urged residents to conserve what water they can and says free bottled water is being distributed across the city.
Bottled water distribution sites will operate from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Broad Rock Library
- West End Library
- Hickory Hill Community Center
- Bellemeade Community Center
- Midtown Green
- Pine Camp Community Center
- Annie Giles Community Center
- Westover Hills Community Center
- East End District Initiative (EDI)
- Southside Plaza
- Randolph Community Center
Henrico County is also under a water boil advisory, which went into effect on Wednesday. They are distributing free water to the community at the following sites:
- Eastern Government Center (3820 Nine Mile Road) – This location has bottled water around the clock. (One case per household)
- Eastern Henrico Recreation Center (1440 N. Laburnum Avenue) – This location has bottled water (one case per household) and a tanker truck around the clock. Please bring your own container to fill from the truck (any container is sufficient).
- Varina Area Library (1875 New Market Road) – This location will have bottled water available until 9 p.m. (One case per household)
- Sandston Branch Library (23 E. Williamsburg Road) – This location will have bottled water available until 9 p.m. (One case per household)
The Virginia National Guard also announced Wednesday that they would be providing six portable bulk water storage tanks to Richmond.