'Continue to boil water': Richmond residents urged to conserve water after plant operations disrupted
After an electrical failure wreaked havoc on Richmond, Virginia's water supply earlier this week, city officials advised residents to conserve water on Wednesday as they work to get operations back online.
A winter-weather related power outage impacted operations at the city water plant along the James River early Monday, according to a news release posted by Richmond officials.
The power disruption caused an issue with the water plant's uninterrupted power supply, the city said, which allowed water to flood the filter gallery, an intermediate part of the treatment process that contains "critical water infrastructure, like pumps, filters, and electrical systems." It is also the reason why water production and distribution were halted, according to the city.
Since then, water plant employees and city officials have been working to restore water services to homes and businesses across the city. An electric panel failure at the facility on Tuesday evening "slowed progress," extending the restoration process timeline.
"Because clean and available drinking water is paramount to public health and a thriving life, we are working hard to make sure Richmond has access to safe and clean drinking water," Danny Avula, Richmond mayor, said in an update.
By early Wednesday morning, 42 million out of the 50 million gallons per day needed for the city to function were restored and two additional bypass pumps were installed. City officials are prioritizing re-filling the reservoir with up 10 feet of water consistently before they can begin to test for safe drinking water.
'Continue to boil water,' city officials say
While Richmond officials work to bring the system back online, residents were advised to "continue to boil water" and conserve every last drop.
A "Water Boil Advisory" issued Monday afternoon will remain in effect until "all required testing is complete and approved in accordance with drinking water quality standards. At that point, the advisory will be lifted." Until then, residents should continue to boil water before consuming it.
"Some residents may have water running through their taps, but we need your help to conserve every drop!" the city said. "Even if it’s available, using water wisely ensures there’s enough for everyone as we bring the system back online."
The advisory was issued to "safeguard public health" and are standard response whenever water pressure is impacted at treatment facilities. The City of Richmond last issued a "Boil Water Advisory" during Hurricane Isabel in 2003, according to the news release.
After water services are fully restored, residents can resume non-drinking water uses such as bathing or flushing the toilet.
Bottled water will be available at the following locations until 5 p.m. local time:
- Broad Rock Library located at 4820 Old Warwick Road
- West End Library located at 5420 Patterson Avenue
- Hickory Hill Community Center located at 3000 Belt Boulevard
- Bellemeade Community Center located at 1800 Lynhaven Avenue
- Midtown Green located at 2401 W Leigh Street
- Pine Camp Community Center located at 4901 Old Brook Road
- Randolph Community Center located at 1415 Grayland Avenue
- Westover Hills Community Center located at 1301 Jahnke Road
- East End District Initiative (EDI) located at 701 North 25th Street
- Southside Plaza located at 4100 Hull Street Road