City Marks Historic Milestone Today - First Water Returns to Byrd Park Reservoir West Basin After Major Rehabilitation Milestone
The City of Richmond marked a historic milestone today as the first water began flowing back into the west basin of the Byrd Park Reservoir—signaling the completion of a major phase in a long-term rehabilitation project.
Built between 1874 and 1876, the Byrd Park Reservoir has served Richmond residents and surrounding counties for nearly 150 years. The reservoir operates as two finished water storage tanks and plays a critical role in delivering safe, reliable drinking water across the region.
As part of the City’s capital improvement plan, the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has been rehabilitating the reservoir tanks and replacing the original concrete roofs, which were added in the 1970’s and are reaching the end of their useful life. The west tank was taken out of service in August 2023 to begin construction.
City leaders and DPU staff gathered to mark the completion of the new roof on the west basin. Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Operations Al Wiggins ceremonially turned a valve to begin the first flow of water into the tank.
Filling the basin is a gradual process expected to take several days, as the tank is brought up to its full capacity of 27.5 million gallons. Once filled, water samples will be collected and tested to ensure the water meets all quality standards before the basin is returned to service.
“This is certainly a historic moment for Richmond,” said Wiggins. “All capital projects are important, but for a 150-year-old facility that serves such a vital function to not only the city but the region, this project ranks among the highest—and one I’m especially proud of.”
DPU Director Scott Morris emphasized the scale and importance of the project.
“I am incredibly proud of all the people who played a role in this significant effort,” said Morris. “Planning and executing projects of this scale takes years of design and construction. We know how critical this reservoir is to the region, and this is one of many investments we will continue making to ensure a reliable and resilient water system for years to come.”
In recent years, prior to the roof replacement, DPU completed additional upgrades to improve the distribution system reliability and increase operational flexibility at facilities connected to the reservoir. The roof replacement project represents a major step forward in preserving this historic asset while modernizing its infrastructure.
Residents can follow the history and progress of the Byrd Park Reservoir rehabilitation project through ongoing project updates available on the City’s website. Photos of today's event can be found here.
