Boil-Water Advisory Hits Richmond Again After Water Plant Issues Resurface

Richmond, VA — For the second time this year, parts of Virginia’s capital are under a boil-water advisory after another operational failure at the city’s main water treatment facility.

On Tuesday, city officials warned residents to avoid drinking tap water after a malfunction allowed lower-quality water to clog the plant’s filters — just weeks after a state health report called a previous incident “entirely preventable.”

What Happened?

Early Tuesday morning, Richmond’s water treatment plant initially returned to full production. But the relief was short-lived. Within an hour, the system experienced another setback, as the same poor-quality water began clogging the facility’s filters again.

The issue has forced officials to issue a boil-water advisory for a large section of the city, stretching from the west end to downtown and into the northern neighborhoods.

“We’re in recovery mode right now,” said Mayor Danny Avula at a press conference. “But once we stabilize the situation, our focus will turn to long-term solutions and prevention.”

How Long Will This Last?

City officials said the advisory could remain in place for more than a day, and they’ve urged residents to conserve water in the meantime. That means using bottled or boiled water for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, and washing dishes.

Déjà Vu for Richmond Residents

This isn’t the first time Richmond has faced a water emergency in 2024. Back in January, roughly 230,000 residents were left without drinkable water for nearly a week after a power failure crippled the same treatment facility.

In April, the Virginia Department of Health released a scathing report on that incident, blaming poor emergency planning and maintenance practices by city officials.

What Comes Next?

Mayor Avula said the immediate priority is restoring safe water service, but long-term fixes are on the horizon.

“There’s ongoing work that needs to be done,” Avula said. “We’ll be taking a hard look at prevention once we get through this.”