
Boil Water Advisory in Place for Richmond, Virginia
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Multiple neighborhoods in Richmond, Virginia, have been told to boil any water they consume or use bottled water after the city's water treatment plant experienced an "operational issue."
Richmond's Department of Public Utilities issued a Boil Water Advisory on Tuesday, and it remains in effect until at least midday Thursday.
Why It Matters
People throughout Richmond are affected by the advisory, which means they may be at risk of consuming contaminated water.
They have been advised to buy bottled water or boil their tap water for at least a minute; this includes tap water used for dishwashing, cooking, or teeth brushing.
People have also been advised to refrain from drinking from water fountains in parks, public or private buildings, and to avoid using ice made from contaminated water.
What To Know
The advisory applies to all residents served by the Ginter Park Tank, including 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.
It was later expanded to include Ancarrow's Landing, Bellemeade, Blackwell, Commerce Road Industrial Area, Hillside Court, Davee Gardens, Manchester, Oak Grove and Windsor.
City of Richmond map showing which neighborhoods are affected by the boil water advisory.
City of Richmond map showing which neighborhoods are affected by the boil water advisory.
City of Richmond
The advisory was issued after the City's Water Treatment Plant experienced an operational issue in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
"The filters reclogged after running at full production for over an hour," city officials said. "The resulting issue diminished pressure in the distribution system and has impacted the Ginter Park Tank."
In an update issued on Wednesday morning, officials said that the city is "getting closer to the end" of the advisory, which can only be lifted after two water sample tests taken 16 hours apart show a negative result.
The first water sample, taken at around 7 p.m. on Tuesday, came back negative. The second water sample test was taken at around noon on Wednesday; results are expected early in the afternoon on Thursday.
What People Are Saying
Richmond Mayor Danny Avula, in a statement: "I'm encouraged that the first round of water sample results has come back with a negative result. Some parts of Richmond are still under a Boil Water Advisory as we await the second sample test, but this is very promising. We're hopeful for full clearance soon and are so grateful for everyone's patience and care."
The City of Richmond's advisory: "The Boil Water Advisory was issued to protect public health due to low or no pressure in parts of the distribution system. The advisory will remain in effect for the impacted areas until two consecutive rounds of negative water sample tests."
What Happens Next
The city awaits the results of the second water sample test.
Mayor Danny Avula said on Tuesday night that the earliest the advisory could be lifted would be midday Thursday, WTVR reported.

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