Posted on October 31, 2024

Richmond, VA – The City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities (DPU) met the October 16, 2024 deadline to submit, to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), an inventory map that identifies the material of water service lines. This deadline is part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR), which requires a continued focus on eliminating lead lines across the nation.

The interactive map, available to the public since March 2024, identifies what is known about the material of the service lines that deliver drinking water to homes and businesses. The City has been building this map for the past two years, primarily using information obtained from City records. However, customer action is needed to help in this identification process by the completion of a survey. This on-line survey, which takes on average 10 minutes to complete, requests information on the customer owned, water service line material. This vital information will aid in development of a long-term, lead replacement plan. This replacement plan will define the effort needed to meet EPA’s regulations requiring that all lead pipes be replaced within 10 years.

DPU is sending 85,000+ letters to Richmond residents beginning TODAY as part of the LCRR regulations. The requirement states the City must notify persons served at properties where the service line material is unknown or confirmed to be lead or galvanized within 30 days of the map submittal. These letters are required annually, which is why we are continuing to strongly encourage customers to complete the survey.

“The Department of Public Utilities takes its mission to provide safe, clean and reliable drinking water to its customers very seriously. We play a critical role in ensuring the public health of our community is always foremost and eliminating lead service lines is part of our mission work,” says April Bingham, DPU senior director.

Richmond’s drinking water has always met and usually exceeds standards set by EPA and VDH. DPU continuously monitors the safety of its drinking water, with continuous testing for numerous substances. The results of these tests are shared with VDH monthly and published annually in the City’s Consumer Confidence Report.

We remind citizens that eliminating the risk of lead getting into drinking water is a shared responsibility. Richmond’s drinking water does not contain lead when it leaves the treatment plant. Rather, instances of lead in water can occur from water service lines made of lead as well as internal plumbing materials. A portion of each water service line is owned by the City (public), and a portion is owned by the property owner (private).  

The City will continue work to eliminate the risk of lead from drinking water. More information on lead in water or the Lead Free Water Program can be found here or by calling the 804-646-8600.

City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities hosting senior weatherization kit giveaway event

HAPPENING TODAY!

Richmond, VA – The City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities is hosting senior weatherization kit giveaway events as part of its Senior Care Program. The kits contain sample items such as weather stripping, plastic window covering, draft stopping outlet covers and an energy saving lightbulb. These items are designed to assist seniors with winterizing their homes and reducing their home heating costs. All Richmond seniors aged 65 and up are encouraged to visit on any of the following days to receive a free kit, while supplies last.

MEDIA ADVISORY

October 24, 2024

Contact: Rhonda Johnson          

The City of Richmond greatly values the James River as its sole source of finished drinking water and is also very cognizant of its beloved home for recreation and beautiful aquatic life.  Over the years, the City’s commitment and work along with that of its partners has vastly improved the quality of the river with greater access to all visitors.  The Pipeline Trail, which is suspended above the James River, is the catwalk built when part of the City’s Combined Sewer System (CSS) pipe was installed nearly 50 years ago.

These Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are a means to keep the public informed about current events involving the modified access to the Pipeline.

1. Who is responsible for maintaining the Pipeline?

There are many stakeholders. CSX owns the railway, while the City of Richmond has multiple departments with a vested interest.  The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is responsible for maintaining the 42” sewer pipe.  The Department of Parks & Recreation (PRCF) manages all parks within the City, including the James River System.  From a city maintenance and operation perspective, the Pipeline is not within the James River Park System or trail area and therefore not maintained by PRCF.

Short- and long-term decisions about the comprised sewer pipe on the trail will include these and other stakeholders.

2. Who has the authority to limit access to the Pipeline?

Please see response #1 above.  Stakeholders are working together collaboratively.

3. Are the sewer repairs complete? And if so, why is the Pipeline closed to the public?

From a safety perspective, the area of pipe that leaked in July 2024 remains closed to the public.  The long-term plan for the compromised sewer pipe is under development by engineers.  DPU is working closely with Parks & Recreation, CSX and the City of Richmond Risk Management on the variables involved.  For this reason, the City strongly encourages the public to remain off the Pipeline while engineers focus on the long-term solution.

4. If the sewer repairs are complete, when will the large straps be removed from the sewer pipe?

While the sewer pipe is empty, abandoned, and isolated from any active CSS infrastructure, it is still compromised.  A fence has been resurrected to protect a portion of the sewer pipe, which is referred to as “the work zone”.  The goal of the fence is to avoid tampering with the existing straps, eliminate foot traffic and minimize safety concerns on this portion of the Pipeline.

5. How does this sewer pipe impact water quality for the James River?

The Pipeline is part of the City’s CSS and is a combined pipe that carries both sewer and stormwater. Any damage to or malfunction of the pipe could cause leaks, which is what occurred this summer.  It is important to note that this part of the City’s infrastructure is not included in the requirements for Senate Bill 1064, which requires the City to accelerate its work on reducing combined sewer overflows.

Senate Bill 1064 involves three specific phases to help reduce CSO overflows by 2035.

• Phase 1 – Interim Plan involving 10 projects with completion by July 1, 2027
• Phase 2 – Final Plan involving 4 projects with completion by July 1, 2035
• Phase 3 – Green Infrastructure (ongoing)

6. If the Pipeline is not included in the SB 1064 regulation, what caused the recent leaks in July 2024?

There were two separate events that occurred in July 2024:

1. On July 2, DPU reported a CSS weather event to Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) as required by the City’s VPDES permit.
2. On July 15, the bypass pump, which carries flow away from the existing pipe, went offline, causing the sewer pipe to expand and overflow into the James River.

7. Is the Pipeline safe to visit?

No.  When river levels are low, the pipeline can easily be seen. The opposite occurs when the river levels are high – the pipeline is submerged beneath the fast-flowing river, making it unsafe to traverse.  Additionally, the portion of the sewer pipe located in the work zone remains compromised. DPU continues to perform regular monitoring of the pipe while engineering solutions are under review.

8. When will the public learn more about the long-term engineering design?

DPU is currently working with the engineering firm to assess both the short- and long-term needs.  DPU is committed to providing regular updates to the public via our website at www.rva.gov/public-utilities 

9. When will the public learn more about the long-term status of the Pipeline?

All stakeholders recognize the public’s interest for recreational access to this portion of the James River, which is why the decision for the long-term status will not be made lightly. This will be a shared decision amongst several stakeholders and will need to include the review and potential revision of easements, access and ownership.  In the meantime, City Councilmembers will continue to receive regular updates.

10. As a river enthusiast, are there other locations where I can access the James River?

Yes. The James River can still be accessed at locations such as Pony Pasture, Reedy Creek, Ancarrows Landing, the Wetlands, Great Shiplock Park, Belle Isle, Dock Street and Tredegar Put In.  There are also overlooks on the floodwall, which lead to both banks of the river for viewing points in addition to the access points listed above. 

Posted September 13, 2024

The City of Richmond greatly values the James River as its sole source of finished drinking water and is also very cognizant of its beloved home for recreation and beautiful aquatic life. Over the years the City’s commitment and work, along with that of its partners has vastly improved the quality of the river as well as provided greater access to all visitors – including the Pipeline Trail (which was created when the combined sewer/stormwater pipe was installed nearly 50 years ago and suspended above the river).

The heightened focus on the pipeline due to recent repairs has highlighted ongoing safety concerns, which resulted in a temporary closure near the now abandoned section of pipe on the trail. There have been a number of documented safety hazards.

As the City of Richmond’s Department of Public Utilities focuses on the long-term solution of the combined sewer pipe with the catwalk (i.e. that has become known as the Pipeline Trail), ongoing access to this aging infrastructure will be required. Therefore, the portion of the trail that is the abandoned pipe will remain closed to the public to ensure the safety of all. The City strongly cautions against any rivergoers from traveling to the “beach” area near the pipe as safety hazards exist. The City of Richmond realizes a number of visitors access the river at this point. The James River can still be accessed at locations such as Pony Pasture, Reedy Creek, Ancarrows Landing, the Wetlands, Great Shiplock Park, Belle Isle, Dock Street or Tredegar Put-In.

The City of Richmond’s Final Plan to improve the health of the James River was approved by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) in August 2024. The James River ranks high as one of the state’s greatest natural resources. Less than a half century ago, the river was not fit for human use. With the long and sustaining work of the City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities (DPU) and its many partners, the James River has transformed from one of the most polluted in the country to one of the most improved and beloved. Today, the James River contributes greatly to the recreational and economic development needs of the region.

In the 1800s, parts of Richmond’s sewer system were designed as a combined sewer system (CSS). These pipes were made to transport both wastewater and stormwater. Today, more than one hundred fifty years later, these pipes are still in use. As a result, the CSS can become overwhelmed during wet weather conditions and exceed capacity for treatment, with overflow going into the waterways – including the James River. Richmond’s combined sewer system is the largest in Virginia with a drainage area of 19 square miles with 25 outfalls.

Since 1970, Richmond and the Commonwealth of Virginia have invested more than $780 million for projects to address the CSS and provide cleaner water for our community. These efforts have resulted in the reduction of over 3 billion gallons of combined sewer overflow (CSO) per year but more funding is needed to capture, convey and treat up to 5 billion gallons per year – which represents more than 90% of stormwater.

In 2020, the Virginia General Assembly passed Senate Bill 1064, which required the City to develop Interim and Final Plans, which would further improve water quality in the James River.  DEQ and the City then amended the 2005 Special Order by Consent to incorporate Senate Bill 1064.

• Interim Plan – Submitted on time and includes 10 projects to reduce 182 million gallons of CSO volume per year at a cost of $33.3 million.  These projects were approved by DEQ for completion of construction and related activities due by July 1, 2027.

• Final Plan– Re-evaluate the remaining 2005 Special Order by Consent projects and identify system-wide improvements to incorporate Senate Bill 1064.  According to DEQ, Richmond made a timely submission of the Final Plan by July 1, 2024.  After reviewing Richmond’s Final Plan, DEQ has determined the plan complies with requirements identified in the 2005 Order, 2020 Amendment and 2020 CSO Law. Completion of construction and related activities will be July 1, 2035.

Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney remarks that, “The City is capturing efficiencies to ensure there is a significant and clear benefit to the environment and the James River. However, we have to maintain the balance of investing in our aging infrastructure and making improvements to City services while being cognizant of affordability issues. Otherwise, City of Richmond will require markedly higher utility rates and an even greater disparity between Richmond and Virginia’s other CSO communities. In short, the city’s most vulnerable residents will not be able to afford it.”

DPU Senior Director April Bingham adds that, “The ability to significantly reduce the cost of the Final Plan from $1.3 billion to $650 million results from creative engineering efforts and design.” Director Bingham appreciates the partnership with the Commonwealth as the City focuses on the timeline, the cost, and the advocacy. She is especially thankful for the collaborative process with DEQ ahead of the Final Plan submission as well as the partnership of Richmond City Council through the adoption of Resolution No. 2022-R025.

DPU is committed to the City of Richmond’s goal of “Cleaner Water Faster”.  With the latest approvals from DEQ, the goal of controlling combined sewer overflow discharges into the James River by 2035 can become a reality through increased financial support.