Latest news with #DannyAvula
Newsweek
29-05-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
Boil Water Advisory in Place for Richmond, Virginia
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. 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.
The Independent
27-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
Virginia's capital is under a boil-water advisory after more water treatment operations issues
Officials issued a boil-water advisory Tuesday in parts of Virginia's capital city, leaving many residents without drinkable tap water following an operational issue at the city's water treatment plant for the second time this year. Richmond officials said that the city's water treatment plant experienced an operational hiccup that clogged some of the plant's filters. In the morning, the water system had been restored to full production, but reclogged roughly an hour later. Large swaths of the city, spanning Richmond's west end to downtown by the Capitol, and its northern neighborhoods, were under the advisory. In a news release, officials said all residents were asked to conserve water. Richmond Mayor Danny Avula said in a statement he would examine what caused the clogging and identify any future improvements at the water treatment facility. The boil-water advisory follows a nearly week-long period in January when approximately 230,000 Richmond residents were without drinkable tap water after a power failure caused a malfunction at the water treatment facility. In April, the Virginia Department of Health released a report saying the crisis was avoidable, pointing to city officials' poor emergency planning and faulty maintenance practices.
Associated Press
27-05-2025
- General
- Associated Press
Virginia's capital is under a boil-water advisory after more water treatment operations issues
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Officials issued a boil-water advisory Tuesday in parts of Virginia's capital city, leaving many residents without drinkable tap water following an operational issue at the city's water treatment plant for the second time this year. Richmond officials said that the city's water treatment plant experienced an operational hiccup that clogged some of the plant's filters. In the morning, the water system had been restored to full production, but reclogged roughly an hour later. Large swaths of the city, spanning Richmond's west end to downtown by the Capitol, and its northern neighborhoods, were under the advisory. In a news release, officials said all residents were asked to conserve water. Richmond Mayor Danny Avula said in a statement he would examine what caused the clogging and identify any future improvements at the water treatment facility. The boil-water advisory follows a nearly week-long period in January when approximately 230,000 Richmond residents were without drinkable tap water after a power failure caused a malfunction at the water treatment facility. In April, the Virginia Department of Health released a report saying the crisis was avoidable, pointing to city officials' poor emergency planning and faulty maintenance practices.
Axios
20-05-2025
- Business
- Axios
Richmond homeowners face tax chaos after 33,000 billing errors
It's a confusing time to be a Richmond homeowner. Why it matters: The past few months have been full of city flubs, which include thousands of property owners receiving the wrong tax rebate checks and getting real estate tax bills meant for their mortgage lenders. The latest: Those real estate tax bills were sent over the weekend after a system error messed up at least 33,000 taxpayer records, per a city release. The mistake left multiple residents — including Mayor Danny Avula — stressed and confused over whether the bill was real, and they owed money, or whether they should ignore it. One bill obtained by Axios said to pay by June 14 to avoid late fees and interest. Zoom in: Now, officials are telling taxpayers whose mortgage lenders typically handle these bills to do nothing. To make sure the payment is covered, you can call your lender. Taxpayers who've accidentally paid twice can request a refund by calling 311 or logging into their online account. If you don't have a mortgage lender and typically pay your real estate tax bills yourself, do so before June 14, the city says. Meanwhile, thousands of Richmond homeowners are still awaiting the tax rebate checks initially promised early this year (now arriving by June 30) after: The city sent checks last year to the wrong people and properties that didn't exist. Some of the correctly issued checks bounced. What's next: The Department of Finance, which many Richmonders have lost trust in after years of failures, and the real estate tax billing vendor are investigating what happened with the system error and are working to fix the issue. Avula, in a statement Tuesday, said he's "personally spending time" with finance department staff to "understand the breakdowns that occurred." He also said he plans to bring in an expert on improving communication and processes "to prevent this type of issue from happening again." The department just finished fixing more than 200 Richmonders' incorrect personal property tax bills, which are due June 5.
Axios
29-04-2025
- Climate
- Axios
Richmond took 4 days to tell counties of fluoride spike in water supply
Richmond's surrounding counties are annoyed with the city for not telling them quickly enough about a water event — again. Why it matters: The issue was a fluoride spike in the local water supply, and city officials didn't tell Richmonders or the counties about it for nearly five days. State of play: Last Wednesday, employees at Richmond's water plant had issues installing a new fluoride pump, leading to excess fluoride accidentally being pumped into the drinking water for about five hours, per a city release. City levels were four times higher than the optimal target of 0.7 milligrams per liter during that period, but the water was safe to drink and below the maximum allowable limit set by federal standards, Richmond officials say. Because Hanover, Henrico and Chesterfield share the city's water supply, the counties also had increased fluoride levels last week. Zoom out: The counties didn't find out about the issue until late Sunday night, per Monday afternoon statements. Henrico slammed the "repeated operational failures and communications breakdowns" from the city's water plant, and Hanover said it was "disappointed by the lack of timely communication." And on Tuesday, Chesterfield said it had found (via water samples) that Friday's fluoride levels neared the max federal limit of 4.0 milligrams per liter. The levels have since returned to normal. Between the lines: Richmond also didn't alert the Virginia Department of Health within the required 24-hour window, which will be reduced to two hours on July 1, per a new Virginia law. Dwayne Roadcap, VDH's drinking water director, told reporters earlier this month that had Richmond contacted them about the January water crisis within two hours, people could have had more time to prepare for the loss of water. What they're saying: Mayor Danny Avula apologized in a city release that came hours after the counties' statements, saying "this incident damages the work we're doing to rebuild trust." "We must do better."
