2025 Water Crisis

On Jan. 6, 2025, Richmond’s water treatment plant experienced a power failure that resulted in loss of water service for residents across the region. A Boil Water Advisory was issued, and, after five days, lifted at 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 11, 2025.

This page will be updated in the coming weeks--use it to learn more about the crisis.

Updated Mar. 3, 2025.

Quick links

Resources

• March 3, HNTB draft after-action assessment report
• Feb. 14, HNTB preliminary after-action report
• Jan. 23, Notice of Alleged Violation, Virginia Department of Health 
• Jan. 22, After-action contract with HNTB (Exhibit A, Exhibit B)
• Jan. 13, Mayor's water presentation to City Council
• What to expect when water service returns

Updates

• March 18, Applications Open for Small Business Recovery Grant Fund
• March 3, City of Richmond Releases Draft After-Action Assessment Report on January Water Outage
• Feb. 27, City of Richmond Announces Small Business Recovery Grant Fund to Support Businesses Impacted by Water Outage
• Feb. 14, City of Richmond Releases Preliminary Report from Independent Investigation of Water Outage
• Feb. 3, City of Richmond expects 100% of Water Recovery Assistance Funds Now Fully Committed to Richmonders in Need
• Jan. 25, Let It Flow: City of Richmond Water Recovery Funds Available Jan. 31
• Jan. 24, Let It Flow: Support local businesses during Water Recovery Week
• Jan. 22, City of Richmond Selects Firm to Conduct Independent After-Action Report of Water Outage 
• Jan. 18, Richmond’s Water Plant Functioning as Intended Heading Into the Weekend
• Jan. 15, City of Richmond Announces New Leadership at Department of Public Utilities
• Jan. 14, Update on Pump Operations at City Water Treatment Plant
• Jan. 12, City provides update on weekend water treatment plant operations
• Jan. 10, Boil Water Advisory lifted
• Jan. 9, Water Restoration Updates: System pressurized, water testing underway

Preliminary Timeline

See: HNTB draft after-action assessment report.