Resources

• Detail map of area impacted by Boil Water Advisory
• City of Richmond YouTube channel, view recordings of press conferences)
• Boil Water Advisory Guidance, Virginia Department of Health
• Emergency Guidelines for Food Facilities under a Boil Water Advisory, Richmond and Henrico Health Districts
• 311

 

Update: May 28, 2025; 1:00 p.m.

Afternoon Update

Here’s what’s going on this afternoon: 

• The Department of Public Utilities pulled the second samples from both impacted zones around noon today!  

• The City of Richmond and the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts continue to encourage food service establishments to follow the guidance at rhhd.gov/bwa-fse in order to operate safely and serve customers during the Boil Water Advisory.  

What’s next:  

• This evening, we should receive news about the first water sample test results. Remember that we need two negative tests, spaced 16 hours apart, before the Boil Water Advisory can lift.  

• We will get results for the second water sample about 24 hours after the sample was taken.  

What should you be doing? 

• Keep boiling your water if you live, work, study, or play in an impacted area (see a detailed map here: go.rva.gov/watermap).  

• Use boiled or bottled water for drinking; preparing food, infant formula, or other beverages; washing dishes; or making ice.  

• Use tap water for flushing toilets, showering, and washing clothes.  

• Stay connected to City communications at go.rva.gov/water-0527 and on City social media accounts. 

Esto es lo que está pasando esta tarde: 

• ¡El Departamento de Servicios Públicos recolectó las segundas muestras de ambas zonas afectadas alrededor del mediodía de hoy! 

• La Ciudad de Richmond y los Distritos de Salud de Richmond y Henrico continúan recomendando a los establecimientos de servicio de alimentos a seguir la guía en rhhd.gov/bwa-fse para operar de manera segura y atender a los clientes durante la vigencia del aviso de hervir el agua.   

A continuación: 

• Esta noche, recibiremos noticias sobre los primeros resultados de las pruebas de muestras de agua. Recuerde que necesitamos dos pruebas negativas, tomadas con 16 horas de diferencia, antes de que se pueda levantar el aviso de hervir el agua.   

• Obtendremos los resultados de la segunda muestra de agua aproximadamente 24 horas después de que se tomó la muestra. 

¿Qué debería hacer usted? 

• Siga hirviendo el agua si vive, trabaja, estudia o se divierte en un área afectada (vea un mapa detallado aquí: go.rva.gov/watermap (cuando abra el enlace, haga clic en “View Impacted Area”).   

• Use agua hervida o embotellada para beber; preparar alimentos, fórmula infantil u otras bebidas; lavar los platos; o hacer hielo. 

• Use agua del grifo para descargar los inodoros, ducharse y lavar la ropa. 

• Manténgase conectado con las comunicaciones de la Ciudad en go.rva.gov/water-0527 y en las cuentas de redes sociales de la Ciudad. 

 

Update: May 28, 2025; 9:00 a.m.

Morning update

Here's what happened overnight:

• Water pressure in the affected parts of town remained strong throughout the night and water levels in the reservoir and water tanks continue to rise.

• Starting yesterday, we began targeted, critical bottled-water delivery to the City's congregate settings including healthcare facilities and senior buildings as well as public housing and mobile home communities. We have also begun critical bottled-water distribution to RPS schools.

What's Next:

• The City is still waiting for the results of its first water test, collected at 7 p.m. yesterday, and expects to have those later this evening.

• The City will take its second sample around midday today, to comply with the required 16 hour gap between tests. Results from this second sample will take approximately 24 hours.

• The Boil Water Advisory will only be lifted with two negative tests. Until that time, the advisory will remain in effect for the areas highlighted on this map: go.rva.gov/watermap.

What should you be doing?

• Continue visiting go.rva.gov/water-0527 and following our social media pages for up-to-date information.

 

Esto es lo que sucedió durante la noche:

• La presión del agua en las partes afectadas de la ciudad se mantuvo fuerte durante toda la noche y los niveles de agua en el embalse y los tanques de agua continúan aumentando.

• A partir de ayer, comenzamos la entrega crítica y selectiva de agua embotellada a vecindarios congregados de la Ciudad, incluidos los centros de atención médica y los edificios para personas mayores, así como las comunidades de viviendas públicas y casas móviles. También hemos comenzado la distribución crítica de agua embotellada a las escuelas de RPS.

El trabajo de hoy:

• La Ciudad todavía está esperando los resultados de su primera prueba de agua, recolectada a las 7 p.m. de ayer, y espera tenerlos hoy por la noche.

• La Ciudad tomará su segunda muestra alrededor del mediodía de hoy, para cumplir con el intervalo requerido de 16 horas entre pruebas. Los resultados de esta segunda muestra tardarán aproximadamente 24 horas.

• El aviso de hervir el agua solo se levantará con dos pruebas negativas. Hasta ese momento, el aviso permanecerá vigente para las áreas resaltadas en este mapa: go.rva.gov/watermap.

¿Qué debe hacer usted?

• Continúe visitando go.rva.gov/water-0527 y siguiendo nuestras páginas de redes sociales para obtener información actualizada.

 

Update: May 28, 2025; 8:25 a.m.

Overnight water production at 50+ MGD, reservoir filling as expected

Pressure restored, first compliance samples taken

Richmond, VA — Overnight water production at the Water Treatment Plant went as expected, with the Plant producing clean drinking water at a rate of 50-68 million gallons per day. Significant progress was made towards filling the reservoir and water tanks.

Additional progress made overnight:

• The water level in the reservoir has risen overnight to 9 feet. Mornings are typically a high water-usage time of the day, but the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) staff expects the current water production rate to exceed demand.
• Pressure in the water distribution system in the two parts of town currently under a Boil Water Advisory has stayed well above 20psi since yesterday evening.
• The first of two compliance samples (required to lift the Boil Water Advisory) were taken around 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27. DPU will take the second sample today (May 28) around 12:00 p.m.
• Most of the filters at the Water Treatment Plant have been backwashed (cleaned).

Until the Boil Water Advisory can be lifted, multiple City agencies, led by the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (DNCS), have started the strategic implementation of the City's critical bottled-water delivery plan. Currently, the City is focused on providing bottled water only through partner organizations and support agencies to six critical priority communities:

1. Healthcare facilities
2. Senior living facilities
3. Manufactured home communities
4. Public housing neighborhoods
5. Shelters
6. Richmond Public Schools

DNCS has been in regular contact with partner organizations and started the work of coordinating bottled water delivery for these critical priority communities last night (May 27). Distribution of bottled water to partner organizations will continue through 4:30 p.m. today (May 28) The DNCS team will monitor the need and demand for bottled water in the coming days and will adjust capacity as needed.

At this time the City of Richmond is not offering bottled water deliver or pick-up to the general public.

Producción de agua durante la noche a 50+ MGD, el embalse se llena según lo esperado

Presión restablecida, primeras muestras de conformidad tomadas

Richmond, VA — La producción de agua durante la noche en la planta de tratamiento de agua fue como se esperaba, con la planta produciendo agua potable limpia a un ritmo de 50-68 millones de galones por día. Se lograron avances significativos en el llenado del depósito y los tanques de agua.

Avances adicionales obtenidos durante la noche: 

• El nivel del agua en el embalse ha subido durante la noche a 9 pies. Las mañanas suelen ser un momento del día de alto consumo de agua, pero el personal del Departamento de Servicios Públicos (DPU) espera que la tasa actual de producción de agua supere la demanda. 
• La presión en el sistema de distribución de agua se ha mantenido muy por encima de los 20 psi desde ayer por la noche en las dos partes de la ciudad que actualmente se encuentran bajo un aviso de hervir el agua.  
• La primera de las dos muestras de cumplimiento (requeridas para levantar el aviso de hervir el agua) se tomó alrededor de las 7:00 p.m. del martes 27 de mayo. DPU tomará la segunda muestra hoy (28 de mayo) alrededor de las 12:00 p.m. 
• La mayoría de los filtros de la planta de tratamiento de agua han sido lavados.

Hasta que se levante el aviso de hervir el agua, varias agencias de la Ciudad, encabezadas por el Departamento de Servicios Comunitarios y Vecinales (DNCS, por sus siglas en inglés), han comenzado la implementación estratégica del plan de entrega de agua embotellada de la Ciudad. Actualmente, la Ciudad se enfoca en proporcionar agua embotellada solo a través de organizaciones asociadas y agencias de apoyo a seis comunidades de prioridad crítica:

• Centros sanitarios 
• Instalaciones para personas mayores  
• Comunidades de casas prefabricadas 
• Barrios de viviendas públicas 
• Refugios 
• Las escuelas públicas de Richmond

DNCS ha estado en contacto regular con organizaciones aliadas y comenzó el trabajo de coordinar la entrega de agua embotellada para estas comunidades críticas y prioritarias anoche (27 de mayo). La distribución de agua embotellada a las organizaciones aliadas continuará hasta las 4:30 p.m. El equipo del DNCS supervisará la necesidad y la demanda de agua embotellada en los próximos días y ajustará la capacidad según sea necesario.

En este momento, la ciudad de Richmond no ofrece agua embotellada al público en general.

 

Update: May 27, 2025; 11:34 p.m.

Evening Update

Here's what's going on:

• Richmond Mayor Danny Avula and Director of Public Utilities Scott Morris hosted a virtual press conference from the City’s Emergency Operations Center to share key developments in the City’s water restoration efforts and to address questions from the media. A full recording of that conference can be found on the City’s YouTube page.

• City staff will continue to monitor water levels through the night to ensure pressure remains at a level for continued water testing.

• Boil Water Advisories remain in effect for residents in the neighborhoods highlighted on this map: go.rva.gov/watermap. As a reminder, lifting the advisory requires two negative tests taken 16 hours apart; we plan to pull the second set of samples around noon on Wednesday, May 28. That set of results will also come back in approximately 24 hours.

• We will communicate additional updates by 8 a.m. on Wednesday morning.

• Note: City of Richmond offices and operations will run on their regular schedule tomorrow.

What should you be doing?

• Continue visiting go.rva.gov/water-0527 and following our social media pages for up-to-date information.

• Sign up for Richmond Ready Alerts to get continued information about Boil Water Advisories. You can sign up by texting RVAREADY to 888-777 or by visiting rva.gov/richmondreadyalerts. Make sure you check the boxes for all the alerts you’d like to receive.

Esto es lo que está pasando esta noche:  

• El alcalde de Richmond, Danny Avula, y el director de Servicios Públicos, Scott Morris, organizaron una conferencia de prensa virtual desde el Centro de Operaciones de Emergencia de la Ciudad para compartir los desarrollos clave en los esfuerzos de restauración del agua de la Ciudad y responder a preguntas de los medios de comunicación. Una grabación completa de esa conferencia se puede encontrar en la página de YouTube de la Ciudad. 

• El personal de la ciudad continuará monitoreando los niveles de agua durante la noche para garantizar que la presión permanezca en un nivel adecuado para realizar las pruebas de agua continuas. 

• Los avisos de hervir el agua siguen vigentes para los residentes de los vecindarios destacados en el mapa a continuación: go.rva.gov/watermap. Como recordatorio, el levantamiento del aviso requiere dos pruebas negativas tomadas con 16 horas de diferencia; planeamos extraer el segundo conjunto de muestras alrededor del mediodía del miércoles 28 de mayo. Ese conjunto de resultados también llegará en aproximadamente 24 horas. 

• Compartiremos información actualizada antes de las 8 a.m. del miércoles.    

• Compartiremos información actualizada antes de las 8 a.m. del miércoles.   Nota: Las oficinas y operaciones de la ciudad de Richmond funcionarán en su horario regular mañana.

¿Qué puede hacer usted? 

• Continúe visitando go.rva.gov/water-0527 y siga nuestras páginas de redes sociales para obtener información actualizada. 

• Regístrese para recibir las Alertas Richmond Ready para obtener información continua sobre los avisos de hervir el agua. Puede inscribirse enviando un mensaje de texto con la frase RVAREADY al 888-777 o visitando el sitio web rva.gov/richmondreadyalerts. Asegúrese de marcar las casillas de todas las alertas que le gustaría recibir. 

 

Update: May 27, 2025; 9:06 p.m.

Evening Update

Here's what's going on:

• The two zones impacted by the Boil Water Advisory have returned to a safe pressure!

• The Department of Public Utilities took the first water samples from both zones around 7 p.m. Those results will come back in approximately 24 hours.

• Lifting the Boil Water Advisory requires two negative tests taken 16 hours apart; we plan to pull the second set of samples around noon on Wednesday, May 28. That set of results will also come back in approximately 24 hours.

• In the meantime, Boil Water Advisories remain in effect for residents in the neighborhoods highlighted on this map: go.rva.gov/watermap.

What should you be doing?

• Keep conserving. If you can hold off on an evening bath or shower, you'll help maintain our water pressure!

• Sign up for Richmond Ready Alerts to get continued information about Boil Water Advisories. You can sign up by texting RVAREADY to 888-777 or by visiting rva.gov/richmondreadyalerts. Make sure you check the boxes for all the alerts you'd like to receive.

• Continue visiting go.rva.gov/water-0527 and following our social media pages for up-to-date information.

Esto es lo que está pasando esta noche:

• ¡Las dos zonas afectadas por el aviso de hervir el agua han vuelto a una presión segura!

• El Departamento de Servicios Públicos tomó las primeras muestras de agua de ambas zonas alrededor de las 7 p.m. Esos resultados llegarán en aproximadamente 24 horas.

• El levantamiento del aviso de hervir el agua requiere dos pruebas negativas tomadas con 16 horas de diferencia; planeamos extraer el segundo conjunto de muestras alrededor del mediodía del miércoles 28 de mayo. Ese conjunto de resultados también llegará en aproximadamente 24 horas.

• Mientras tanto, los avisos de hervir el agua siguen vigentes para los residentes de los vecindarios destacados en este mapa: go.rva.gov/watermap.

¿Qué puede hacer?

• Sigue conservando el agua. Si puede evitar darse un baño o ducha por la noche, ¡ayudará a mantener nuestra presión de agua!

• Regístrese para recibir alertas de Richmond Ready para obtener información continua sobre los avisos de hervir el agua. Puede inscribirse enviando un mensaje de texto con RVAREADY al 888-777 o visitando rva.gov/richmondreadyalerts. Asegúrese de suscribirse a las alertas de la comunidad.

• Continúe visitando go.rva.gov/water-0527 y siguiendo nuestras páginas de redes sociales para obtener información actualizada.

 

Update: May 27, 2025; 6:44 p.m.

Expansion of Boil Water Advisory

The City of Richmond, in partnership with the Virginia Department of Health, has expanded the localized Boil Water Advisory immediately and until further notice. This expansion now impacts residents served by the Cofer Road Tank on the Southside of the City, which includes residents in the orange area of the map below.

This map includes (among others) residents living in communities or portions of Commerce Road and Richmond Highway corridors, including communities of Ancarrow’s Landing, Bellemeade, Blackwell, Commerce Road Industrial Area, Hillside Court, Davee Gardens, Manchester, Oak Grove, and Windsor (NOT Windsor Farms).

The map adds to those covered in the prior announcement which includes (among others) Byrd Park, Brookland Park, Carver, Carytown, Chamberlayne, the Fan, Ginter Park, Jackson Ward, Laburnum Park, the Museum District, the North Side, Oregon Hill, Randolph, Scott’s Addition, VCU’s Monroe Park campus, and parts of the city center. (Please note Windsor Farms was incorrectly included in the prior announcement).

Some customers in these areas may experience a total loss of water service, while others may experience varying degrees of loss in water pressure. Impacted residents are encouraged to take conservation steps immediately, and boil water before consuming it. The list of impacted residents may continue to expand as water usage continues; residents in all neighborhoods are encouraged to conserve water and to stay up-to-date at rva.gov or on the City’s social media pages.

This advisory comes after the City’s Water Treatment Plant experienced an operational issue in the early morning hours on Tuesday, May 27, and after the water system had been restored to full production. The filters reclogged after running at full production for over an hour. The resulting issue diminished pressure in the distribution system and has impacted the Ginter Park Tank, which provides water to residents in the area shaded in orange on the map. However, officials continue to monitor the timeline to restore the affected tank to full water pressure and will issue additional updates or advisories if needed.

As a cautionary measure, ALL residents are asked to conserve water to ensure all needs are met during this time. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates to our customers as new information becomes available.

City officials remain in close contact with the Virginia Department of Health to assess and remedy the situation. Once the water pressure is back to normal in the impacted areas, Department of Public Utilities personnel will begin the process of flushing the system and subsequently lifting the Advisory. 

The City will communicate new information as it becomes available thr­­­ough rva.gov and its social media pages (@rvagov on Instagram and on Facebook). 

 Below is a checklist for safe water use during this time:  

• Do not drink tap water during this boil water alert.  
• Do not drink from water fountains in parks, public or private buildings that receive water from the City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities.  
• Do not use ice made from water today. Discard the ice and sanitize the ice machine and/or ice trays.  
• Do not use tap water to make drinks, juices, or fountain soft drinks. 
• Do not wash your dishes using tap water – use boiled water or use paper plates.
• Do not wash your fruits and vegetables with tap water – use boiled or bottled water. 
• Do not brush your teeth with tap water -- use boiled or bottled water.  
• Do not cook with tap water, unless your food will be boiled vigorously for three minutes. 

 Temporary water conservation tips: 

• Eliminate or shorten shower times. 
• Avoid unnecessary toilet flushes. 
• Avoid washing clothes for as long as possible. 
• Postpone washing dishes if possible. 
• Check all faucets, shower heads and under cabinets for drips. 

Please share this information with everyone in your household, local friends and family, and others who may have not received this advisory directly.

Mayor Avula and City Council remain in close communication. City Council leadership is being provided regular updates and is on site in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

Resources

• More updates from the City of Richmond: go.rva.gov/water-0527
• For more information on boil water advisories, visit the VDH Boil Water Advisory Guidance (click on “Information for Consumers”).
• Impacted food service establishments should visit the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts’ guidance page (rhhd.gov/bwa-fse) for next steps.

Update: May 27, 2025; 4:43 p.m.

Afternoon Update

Here's what going on:

• The Department of Public Utilities has created a more detailed and interactive map of the area currently under the Boil Water Advisory.

• Mayor Danny Avula held a virtual press conference at 3 p.m. to provide updates and answer media questions. Here's some of what he shared:

• "It's all hands on deck": Water teams are working hard to maintain water pressure and to get the Ginter Park Tank fully pressurized.

• City officials have been in close conversation with regional partners, Richmond Public Schools, and hospital systems to determine needs. RPS will continue communicating directly to families, students, and staff.

• Food service establishments should consult guidance from the Virginia Department of Health for operating safely during a Boil Water Advisory.

• It's important for residents to remember that lifting a boil water advisory requires two different test samples that have to be separated by 16-24 hours. When the system repressurizes, we will announce it and take the first sample to start the process.

Mayor Avula also shared that he "totally understands" resident frustration. "We're continuing to invest in the system, to invest in our protocols, and to invest in our people to make sure this doesn't happen again. We are in rebuilding mode, we've brought new leadership in, and it takes time for all the systems to be working properly."

Watch the full press conference on the City's YouTube page.

What should you be doing?

• Keep conserving. Water usage in Richmond picks up around 6 p.m. because many people are coming home and doing chores or making dinner. Hold off on running the dishwasher or the washing machine and thank the rain for taking care of any garden watering.

• If you live in an impacted area, plan ahead to prepare dinner. Use boiled or bottled water to wash fruits and vegetables, and clean your dishes with boiled water, too.

• Continue visiting rva.gov and following our social media pages for up-to-date information.

Esto es lo que ha ocurrido hasta esta tarde:

• El Departamento de Servicios Públicos ha creado un mapa más detallado e interactivo del área que actualmente se encuentra bajo el Aviso de Hervir el Agua. Al abrir el enlace a more detailed and interactive map haga clic en "View Impacted Area"

• El alcalde Danny Avula realizó una conferencia de prensa virtual a las 3 p.m. para proporcionar actualizaciones y responder preguntas de los medios. Estos son algunos de los puntos cubiertos:

• "Estamos en modo manos a la obra": El personal de la planta de agua está trabajando arduamente para mantener la presión del agua y renovar la presión del tanque de agua de Ginter Park.

• Los funcionarios de la ciudad han estado en estrecha conversación con socios regionales, las Escuelas Públicas de Richmond y los sistemas hospitalarios para determinar sus necesidades. RPS continuará comunicándose directamente con las familias, los estudiantes y el personal.

• Los establecimientos de servicio de alimentos deben consultar la guía del Departamento de Salud de Virginia para operar de manera segura durante un aviso de hervir el agua aquí: Pautas de emergencia para instalaciones de alimentos bajo un aviso de hervir el agua (BWA) - Departamento de Salud de la Ciudad de Richmond

• Es importante que los residentes recuerden que levantar o terminar una advertencia de hervir el agua requiere dos muestras de prueba diferentes que deben estar separadas por 16 a 24 horas. Cuando el sistema recupere la presión, lo anunciaremos y tomaremos la primera muestra para iniciar el proceso

• El alcalde Avula también compartió que "entiende totalmente" la frustración de los residentes. "Seguimos invirtiendo en el sistema, invirtiendo en nuestros protocolos e invirtiendo en nuestro personal para asegurarnos de que esto no vuelva a suceder. Estamos en modo de reconstrucción, hemos traído un nuevo liderazgo y se necesita tiempo para que todos los sistemas funcionen correctamente".

Puede ver la conferencia de prensa en su totalidad en este enlace (en inglés): YouTube page.

¿Qué debe usted continuar haciendo?

• Siga conservando agua. El uso de agua en Richmond aumenta alrededor de las 6 p.m. porque muchas personas regresan a casa y hacen las tareas domésticas o preparan la cena. Evita poner el lavaplatos o la lavadora de ropa y agradezcamos la lluvia por encargarse de regar el jardín.

• Si vive en un área afectada, planifique con anticipación la preparación de la cena. Use agua hervida o embotellada para lavar frutas y verduras, y limpie sus platos con agua hervida también.

• Continúe visitando el website rva.gov y siguiendo nuestras páginas de redes sociales para obtener información actualizada.

 

Update: May 27, 2025; 2:30 p.m.

Afternoon Update

Here’s what going on:

• Department of Public Utilities staff continue to work on restoring water production to full capacity.
• Mayor Danny Avula will be holding a virtual press conference today at 3 p.m. to provide updates and address questions.
• The City of Richmond will open its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to coordinate efforts beginning at 2 p.m.

What should you be doing?

• Continue conserving water no matter where in the city you live. Waiting to wash dishes, do laundry, or flush toilets gives our water supply a chance to reach the required levels before we can begin testing to remove the Boil Water Advisory.
• Review guidance on how and when to boil water if you live in the impacted neighborhood. Tip: make sure you’re using boiled or bottled water for making beverages like infant formula, juice, coffee, or soda.

Esto es lo que está sucediendo esta tarde:

• El personal del Departamento de Servicios Públicos continúa trabajando para restaurar la producción de agua a su máxima capacidad.
•  
• El alcalde Danny Avula llevará a cabo una conferencia de prensa virtual hoy a las 3 p.m. para proporcionar información actualizada y responder a preguntas.
• La Ciudad de Richmond abrirá su Centro de Operaciones de Emergencia (EOC, por sus siglas en inglés) para coordinar esfuerzos a partir de las 2 p.m.

¿Qué deberías estar haciendo usted?

• Continúe conservando agua sin importar en qué parte de la ciudad viva. Espere para lavar los platos, lavar la ropa o descargar los inodoros le dará a nuestro suministro de agua la oportunidad de alcanzar los niveles requeridos antes de que podamos comenzar a realizar pruebas para levantar el aviso de hervir el agua.
• Revise la guía sobre cómo y cuándo hervir el agua si vive en los vecindarios afectados. Un consejo: asegúrese de usar agua hervida o embotellada para preparar bebidas como fórmula infantil, jugo, café o refrescos.

 

Update: May 27, 2025; 11:06 a.m.

City of Richmond Issues Boil Water Advisory for Customers in Some City Neighborhoods

Richmond, VA — The City of Richmond, in partnership with the Virginia Department of Health, has issued a localized Boil Water Advisory immediately and until further notice for all residents served by the Ginter Park Tank, which includes residents in the orange area of the map below. The map includes (among others) Byrd Park, Brookland Park, Carver, Carytown, Chamberlayne, the Fan, Ginter Park, Jackson Ward, Laburnum Park, the Museum District, the North Side, Oregon Hill, Randolph, Scott's Addition, VCU's Monroe Park campus, and parts of the city center. Some customers in this area may experience a total loss of water service, while others may experience varying degrees of loss in water pressure. Impacted residents are encouraged to take conservation steps immediately, and boil water before consuming it. The list of impacted residents may also expand as water usage continues; residents in all neighborhoods are encouraged to conserve water and to stay up-to-date at rva.gov or on the City's social media pages.

This advisory comes after the City's Water Treatment Plant experienced an operational issue in the early morning hours on Tuesday, May 27, and after the water system had been restored to full production. The filters reclogged after running at full production for over an hour. The resulting issue diminished pressure in the distribution system and has impacted the Ginter Park Tank, which provides water to residents in the area shaded in orange on the map. However, officials continue to monitor the timeline to restore the affected tank to full water pressure and will issue additional updates or advisories if needed.

As a cautionary measure, all residents are asked to conserve water to ensure all needs are met during this time. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates to our customers as new information becomes available.

City officials remain in close contact with the Virginia Health Department to assess and remedy the situation. Once the water pressure is back to normal in the impacted areas, Department of Public Utilities personnel will begin the process of flushing the system and subsequently lifting the Advisory.

The City will communicate new information as it becomes available through rva.gov and its social media pages (@rvagov on Instagram and on Facebook).

Below is a checklist for safe water use during this time:

• Do not drink tap water during this boil water alert.
• Do not drink from water fountains in parks, public or private buildings that receive water from the City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities.
• Do not use ice made from water today. Discard the ice and sanitize the ice machine and/or ice trays.
• Do not use tap water to make drinks, juices, or fountain soft drinks.
• Do not wash your dishes using tap water – use boiled water or use paper plates.
• Do not wash your fruits and vegetables with tap water – use boiled or bottled water.
• Do not brush your teeth with tap water -- use boiled or bottled water.
• Do not cook with tap water, unless your food will be boiled vigorously for three minutes.

Temporary water conservation tips:

• Eliminate or shorten shower times.
• Avoid unnecessary toilet flushes.
• Avoid washing clothes for as long as possible.
• Postpone washing dishes if possible.
• Check all faucets, shower heads and under cabinets for drips.

Please share this information with everyone in your household, local friends and family, and others who may have not received this advisory directly.

For more information on boil water advisories, visit the Virginia Department of Health Boil Water FAQs (click on "Information for Consumers.").

Impacted food service establishments should visit the VDH Boil Water Advisory Guidance for next steps.

Update: The Department of Public Utilities has created a more detailed map for of the impacted area. You can find that map here. 

 

 

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May 27, 2025

DPU staff followed new SOPs; no impact to drinking water safety.

Richmond, VA — The City of Richmond's Water Treatment Plant experienced an operational issue in the early morning hours on Tuesday, May 27. Due to high turbidity in the system, some of the plant's filters clogged, temporarily reducing finished water production. Despite the reduction, the plant continued to produce enough water to maintain safe system pressure levels — above the threshold that would have required a boil water advisory.

City officials were in contact with the Virginia Department of Health and regional partners shortly after midnight and throughout the morning. Emergency response Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) instituted following the week of January 6 — including new communication SOPs — were successfully followed by staff on site. As per SOPs, DPU and City considered issuing a localized boil advisory, but, after a thorough assessment, it was determined that no advisory was necessary.

"This incident showed that our emergency response standard operating procedures worked as planned. We communicated in a timely manner with our regional and state partners and recovered production quickly," said Mayor Danny Avula. "That said, we'll take a hard look at what happened and identify any future improvements needed."

The Department of Public Utilities will investigate the root cause of this incident. Follow @rvagov on social media or visit rva.gov for future updates.