Richmond, Virginia, has expanded its boil water advisory to cover several neighborhoods after an operational failure at the city’s water treatment plant on May 27 led to unsafe tap water conditions. The advisory was initially limited to areas north of the James River but later extended to include parts of downtown and South Richmond.
According to city officials, the problem began when high turbidity and low raw water quality caused multiple filters at the treatment facility to clog. Although the issue seemed resolved early in the morning, the filters clogged again after the plant resumed full-scale water production, prompting the city and the Virginia Department of Health to issue a precautionary advisory.
Scott Morris, director of the Richmond boil water Department of Public Utilities, explained during a press conference that poor-quality raw water overwhelmed the filters. “The water in the basin had very poor quality, and it impacted a majority of the filters simultaneously,” he said. Residents in affected areas are experiencing water pressure loss or complete service disruptions. Officials said the advisory would remain until water systems are fully pressurized and two rounds of testing spaced at least 16 hours apart confirm the water is safe to drink.
Impact on Local Businesses and Mounting Frustration
The advisory has severely disrupted operations for Richmond’s hospitality sector. Although state guidelines allow food service establishments to remain open with safety modifications, many businesses chose to close or scale back services on May 27. Restaurants, bars, and coffee shops expressed frustration, especially as they still struggle to recover from a similar water crisis in January.
Kayla Marbley, a local server and bartender, voiced her concern: “It’s just kind of the same thing over and over again. If we’re closed for five days, I’m not making money either. It’s frustrating it really is.” The continued interruptions have left many small businesses vulnerable, with financial losses compounding over time.
Recurring Water Issues and State-Level Scrutiny
This latest incident comes just months after a major water crisis in January, when a winter weather-related power failure at Richmond boil water treatment plant caused widespread service outages and a five-day boil water advisory. The January failure was later attributed to inadequate system maintenance and flawed emergency response protocols.
In April, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin released the findings of an investigation by the state health department, which identified “significant operational, procedural, and infrastructure failures” as key causes of the January crisis. The report deemed the incident avoidable and issued a second notice of violation against the city.
“The disruption of a safe and reliable water supply in Richmond boil water, this past January never should have happened,” Youngkin said, emphasizing the need for the city to take corrective action.
In the meantime, Mayor Danny Avula has urged residents to boil tap water for all uses or switch to bottled water. The city also issued water conservation guidelines, such as minimizing laundry and dishwashing, shortening showers, and refraining from brushing teeth with tap water. Residents are advised to follow these precautions until the advisory is lifted.
