Updates | Coverage of Richmond water outage from The Times-Dispatch
This is continuing coverage of the water outage in the Richmond region.
(45) updates to this series since
Coming off a six-day water crisis, Richmond officials on Saturday morning declared the city’s water supply safe to drink, leaving restaurants, coffee shops, markets and more thrilled to get back to serving the community.
How a meager snowstorm could cripple Richmond's water supply for six calendar days is still being investigated. Here's a timeline of how the events unfolded.
Richmond was engulfed in a water crisis this week that provoked an eerie reminder of lessons learned — or not — from when Hurricane Isabel swept into Virginia in 2003.
This is updated coverage of the water outage across Richmond.
Your turn: How has the water outage had an impact on your life? Tell us your story
How Richmond-area companies are navigating office safety amid boil water advisories
For 8 years, city put off replacement of part that caused water outage
The part is at least two decades old, plant staff said on Friday.
The Richmond water crisis that’s delaying the General Assembly's work has given new urgency to an issue – drinking water and water policy – that’s been simmering for years.
We're speaking to residents and business owners about how the water outage in the Richmond area has had an impact on daily lives. Tell us your information and we may contact you for an upcoming story.
Some Richmond area restaurants have started to reopen, while others remained closed, waiting for the boil water advisory to be lifted. The reasons for both are complex.
Companies around the Richmond area have taken different approaches to navigating the turbulent water crisis that’s left water across the area …
Mayor Danny Avula said the failure of an automatic "switch-gear" that would've transferred the city's water treatment plant to its primary backup power source failed during Monday afternoon's blackout.
Due to the ongoing water crisis, VCU men's basketball and Richmond women's basketball played without fans on Wednesday.
In the days since the collapse of Richmond’s public drinking water utility, two separate documents have emerged that appear to indicate infrastructure problems at the city’s water treatment plant were well-known.
Texas Inn and Abi's Books and Brews supply water to locals during Richmond crisis
Richmond's water problems linger, and the repercussions are being felt in the neighboring counties of Hanover and Henrico.
And as was the case in the days of sports during COVID, the dichotomy of athletic entertainment and human suffering was laid bare.
Mayor Danny Avula said Wednesday that Richmond's boil water advisory would likely not be lifted until Friday.
“This is a great example of what RPS does for communities," said school board member Matthew Percival. "It’s not just about the schools, it’s about being the glue in the communities."
Officials stressed that the boil water advisory is a "precaution." Parts of the Henrico system were reopened to the troubled Richmond water utility Wednesday afternoon.
Some joked about not showering as others shrugged and just said stuff happens. Virginia legislators pledged to finish their work on time despite a delay caused by Richmond's water crisis.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin speaks about the Richmond water boil advisory, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.
VCU Athletics announced on Wednesday afternoon that tonight's men's basketball game against Fordham at the Siegel Center will be played without spectators due to the ongoing water outage in Richmond.
Their tractor-trailers carry 6,200 gallons. But that's only enough to supply VCU Medical Center for one hour.
Samuel B. Parker gives an update on the water boil advisory in Richmond.
House Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, expects a "boring session" of the General Assembly to begin on Wednesday, but that may be wishful thinking.
County Manager John Vithoulkas: "I want to personally apologize, because I am the county manager, and the mantra is that accountability stops with leadership."
County Manager John Budesky said all addresses east of Interstate 95 should conserve water if it is available to them. A boil water advisory is in effect for those residences.
Lawmakers will meet briefly on Wednesday, the first day of the 46-day General Assembly session, then will adjourn until Monday morning, when Gov. Glenn Youngkin will deliver his State of the Commonwealth address.
Here's what residents should do next after a weather-related power failure resulted in the water level in the Richmond reservoir system to run low on Monday, triggered a boil water alert.
Richmond Sheriff's Deputies deliver water to Midtown Green, one of the city's water distribution sites, on Jan. 7, 2025.
The city of Richmond is partnering with the sheriff's office and the American Red Cross to distribute bottled water in "high priority areas — including homeless services providers, public housing, and residences that house older adults."
Mayor Danny Avula on Tuesday morning discusses the efforts of crews to repair Richmond’s water treatment plant.
The cascading series of events began early Monday morning, when a power outage brought on by snow and ice caused Richmond’s water treatment plant to flood, taking the system offline.
Officials on Monday afternoon issued a boil advisory and "strongly encourage(d)" Richmond residents to "limit water usage" after a power outage impacted the city's water utilities, leading to widespread outages.
Officials have announced bill and tax payment deadline extensions for residents and business owners in the wake of the city's six-day water crisis.
As restaurants in the Richmond area reopened through the weekend and into this week, owners are tallying up what they lost last week due to the shutdown.
Framed by sharp criticism of Richmond for last week’s water crisis, Senate Republicans want to require a director of water utilities to have a professional qualification, most likely an engineering degree.
A pump at Richmond's James River water treatment plant stopped working overnight, the city said Tuesday, a week after a six-day water outage c…
"There probably are other skills that have emerged as what we need in terms of oversight at the water treatment plant," the mayor said.
Hanover wanted to become less reliant on other localities to meet its water demands. One of its plans was ultimately deemed to expensive, while another was fought off by county residents.
Records show officials in 2017 declined two bids from contractors who offered to upgrade the water treatment plant’s switchgear — the component that failed during a power outage on Jan. 6.
The announcement comes after some residents took to social media claiming to pay upward of $30 for one case of water at various convenience stores.
Richmond residents are entering another day Wednesday without drinking water, the result of an equipment failure tied to winter weather. Here's what we know so far.
Richmond has been largely without running water since Monday afternoon, when the Byrd Park Reservoir ran dry following a weather-related power failure and flood at the city’s water treatment plant.
Virginia State Police said the crash Monday afternoon is being attributed to snowy and icy conditions from the recent winter storm.
The Hokies flew to Califoria on Monday and won't return home until Sunday.
The Democratic chairs of the General Assembly’s education committees say they will push back on Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s voucher proposal and work to fix the state’s flawed school funding system.
Democrats will continue to hold a 21-19 edge in the Senate and a 51-49 edge in the House after Tuesday’s special elections for two state Senate seats and one House seat.
Mayor Danny Avula rode into office with the sort of reservoir of goodwill common during the honeymoon period of a newly elected official. But this water crisis is a crash course in Richmond Reality, including the aging infrastructure of one of the nation's oldest cities.
Another woeful second half doomed Virginia basketball in a loss at California on Wednesday night.
“Business is great, but people matter more,” said Keith Duffin, co-owner Abi’s Books and Brews.
The Emerson poll found that 42% of voters support Former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, and 41% support Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears. with 13% undecided and 4% supporting someone else.
HeloAir Inc., launched in 1993 by Whit Baldwin, was sold to Fundamental Advisors LP.
IN THE NEWS
We still have memories. We still have each other.
The failure of Richmond's water system is chance for the city's new mayor to succeed.
Despite the cold temperatures and the ongoing water concerns, folks in the neighborhood came to witness the cupola’s return.
Sometimes it takes a crisis to shine a light on the solution that’s staring us in the face. When the water shuts off in Richmond, the entire region pays the price — as both Henrico and Hanover found out last week.
When Henrico Doctors' discovered four newborns in the NICU suffered unexplained fractures, it did not contact authorities in a timely manner. Instead, it conducted its own investigation.
“We kind of take it for granted until it's not available,” said a water utility director. “Then it comes to the forefront.”
Youngkin addressed lawmakers five days later than planned, calling the Richmond water crisis "difficult and frustrating."
Former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, who stepped down after three terms, reported on Tuesday that her campaign has raised about $9.6 million since she announced for governor in November 2023.
Issues surrounding city blight were what originally brought the members of Virginia First Cities together more than two decades ago. Despite some real gains, there remains cause for concern, and it is why the recent water issues in Richmond are perhaps symptomatic of systemic issues that all Virginia local governments are facing head-on.
The scope of the reports will evaluate the county's water infrastructure and look at making the east end's water more "resilient."
Schmitt is the sole Republican on the board after the 2023 elections. Outgoing chair Nelson said the Henrico board has always worked well despite political parties.
Best-selling author Ruth Reichl, a leading voice in the culinary world, will be in Henrico County on March 27 for the return of All Henrico Reads.
Better understanding of what occurred at the water plant will be a focus of the thorough, transparent independent investigation this administration has promised to deliver. Having a fresh set of eyes to provide an unbiased view of events as they transpired will offer a clear assessment of the situational performance of plant machinery and personnel. We are moving rapidly, but not recklessly, toward that goal.
Raise a glass of tap water. City Hall appears to have competent leadership.
In 2023, as Henrico Doctors' investigated the abuse of four infants, Erin Strotman was put on leave. Weeks after the hospital allowed her to return to work, three more newborns suffered injuries.
Dear Mayor Without A Honeymoon: There is no need for an independent investigation. We know what happened at the Richmond Water Treatment Plant…
Poor maintenance and testing, insufficient staffing and inadequate training may have contributed to Richmond’s six-day water crisis, according to a notice of alleged violation from the Virginia Department of Health.
That’s on top of a $25,000 contribution from Mayor Danny Avula’s political action committee, plus nearly a week’s worth of donations from members of the public.
Morris was tapped as interim director on Jan. 15 following the departure of former director April Bingham in the wake of the city’s six-day water crisis.
Emergency rooms that are open are nearly full, as the region nears peak respiratory-illness season.