Richmond Mayor Provides Update on Water System Restoration
Richmond Mayor Danny Avula announced on Thursday that all nine zones served by Richmond’s water system are now fully pressurized. He indicated that the boil water advisory, which has been in effect, could potentially be lifted by Friday or Saturday pending the results of water quality tests. Avula also shed light on the sequence of events at the water plant that resulted in significant flooding inside the building and days without access to clean drinking water for residents.
In an optimistic development, the city’s reservoir is currently above 18 feet, indicating it has reached its full capacity. Avula reported that 19 filters and five pumps at the plant are operational. The initial round of water sampling commenced on Thursday, with samples being collected from various locations in the city and sent to the lab for testing in coordination with the state health department. Avula stated that two consecutive rounds of negative test results, spaced 16 hours apart, are required for the boil water advisory to be lifted.
Despite progress, residents are still urged to conserve water as efforts to restore full functionality continue.
New Insights into Water Plant Malfunction
The interruption in water supply for Richmond residents was a consequence of a power outage triggered by a winter storm on Monday, January 6, leading to a cascade of failures at the water treatment plant. Avula, on Thursday, attributed the primary causes of the plant breakdown to the initial power outage and subsequent battery backup failure. He initially addressed this during a midday briefing at Richmond’s downtown library and later elaborated on it in a virtual press conference.
As per Avula’s explanation, Dominion Energy Virginia, the state’s largest electricity provider, supplies power to two sources at the plant. In the event of one source failing, the second source was supposed to engage automatically, a process that failed in this instance. Following the failure of the second power source to activate, an electrician manually toggled the switch on Monday morning. The decision was made not to activate the generators, which serve as backups in case of battery backup failure. Subsequently, the IT systems crucial for the plant’s operation failed to reboot effectively after the power outage, leading to malfunctioning water pumps and flooding.
Avula highlighted that the systems controlling water operations failed to reconnect to the servers upon reboot, resulting in a lack of operational visibility and an inability to promptly alert on-site staff of issues.
It was emphasized that the water plant was adequately staffed during the emergency.
In absence of Department of Public Utilities director April Bingham during the in-person press conference, technical queries concerning the incident remained unanswered. Bingham’s absence persisted during the afternoon’s virtual conference.
Avula stressed the significance of conducting an “after-action report” to pinpoint further contributing factors to the water crisis and propose measures to enhance emergency protocols in the future. When questioned about potential human errors playing a role in the crisis, Avula indicated a commitment to accountability, stating it is inherent to his role as mayor.
While the origin of the water issues stemmed from Richmond this week, nearby localities were similarly impacted. Henrico and Hanover Counties implemented boil water advisories, and schools remained closed throughout the week, given their reliance on Richmond’s water system.
Upon inquiry about when Richmond officials notified neighboring governments about the water problem, Avula recalled the notification taking place around mid-morning on Monday, albeit lacking specific details.
Response Efforts and Future Actions
Anticipating another snowfall over the weekend, Avula emphasized the city’s proactive measures in testing battery backups and ensuring generator functionality. Additional staff will be stationed at the water plant to conduct regular site inspections.
Traci DeShazor, from the city’s Human Services department, disclosed that the inclement weather shelter at 1900 Chamberlayne Avenue currently has 106 beds for individuals experiencing homelessness, with an overflow shelter at Marshall Plaza offering an additional 49 beds.
Various water distribution sites are operational across the city. DeShazor mentioned a portable tank at Southside Plaza where residents can refill water jugs. For those unable to access distribution sites, individuals are advised to contact 311 for water delivery, with nearly 450 out of 550 requests through the hotline already fulfilled.
Regarding potential impacts on water bills or late fees due to service disruptions, Avula indicated plans to extend the due date for the next water bill, with specific details forthcoming.
Officials in Hanover County confirmed the restoration of water services while Henrico County residents are expected to witness a gradual return of water flow following disruptions throughout the area since Tuesday. Both localities have urged residents to continue boiling water intended for consumption or cooking until further notice.
In Henrico, water is being pumped into the Greater Eubank water pressure zone from Richmond’s system at a controlled rate of approximately 6 million gallons per day. Department of Public Utilities personnel are closely monitoring the flow rate and manually regulating water flow to ensure system integrity. Hydrants in the eastern part of the county have been opened to release pressure and trapped air, preventing system damage and maintaining water quality.
Efforts are underway to minimize water usage in Henrico, with temporary interruptions in bottled water supplies due to high demand. Tanker trucks are stationed at designated locations for water distribution, with accompanying shower and bathroom facilities available at specified sites to support residents impacted by the water service disruption.
Meanwhile, in Hanover County, the boil water advisory is expected to persist into the forthcoming weekend as a precautionary measure to safeguard drinking water quality for residents. Water pressures in the county have nearly returned to normal, with a positive trajectory expected to continue.
In order to address water discoloration, residents are advised to flush their service lines and indoor fixtures. Bottled water pickup locations have been established throughout the county, with showering amenities accessible at designated schools.
According to county officials, efforts are in place to prevent any recurrence of this unprecedented water crisis, with ongoing assessments and safeguards to ensure sustainable water service for residents.
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