Richmond, VA – The city of Richmond is taking significant steps to overhaul its water treatment protocols following a major crisis that left residents without water for six days in early January. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) issued a notice of violation to the city in mid-January, citing failures in the water system’s preparedness and response to a power outage at the water treatment plant.
The crisis began on January 6, when a power outage at the city’s water treatment facility triggered a series of failures, including an automatic transfer failure between power sources, leaving Richmond and several surrounding counties without reliable access to water. The outage was caused by a faulty connector, or “bus tie,” which was later replaced on January 13. The VDH’s Office of Drinking Water (ODW) issued the notice, which accused the city of not being prepared to handle such an event and failing to ensure critical equipment and staffing were in place to prevent the outage.
The VDH notice highlighted that the city’s water system was unprepared for such an emergency, particularly pointing to gaps in staffing and the lack of established emergency response protocols. According to the ODW, with proper planning, Richmond could have avoided the crisis.
In response to the notice, the city of Richmond has outlined a series of corrective actions to prevent future disruptions. These measures include comprehensive staff training on power outage protocols and emergency response procedures, a review and update of the city’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and enhanced testing and maintenance schedules for back-up power systems.
Richmond officials confirmed that staff received immediate training after the January 6 outage, with additional formal training sessions held in mid-February. These training sessions covered a range of critical topics, including how to safely manage outages, switch between power sources, and troubleshoot power-related issues.
In addition to training, the city has committed to providing the VDH with documentation proving that its back-up power systems, including the plant’s SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system, are operational and can withstand future outages. A key upgrade to the SCADA system is set to be completed by March 31, ensuring that it remains functional for up to one hour during power disruptions.
To further prevent future failures, Richmond has also implemented a regular testing schedule for back-up power systems, particularly before storm events, and will integrate these tests into staff training. Emergency generators at the plant are also set to receive an automatic transfer switch by November, with updated SOPs to follow.
Staffing issues have also been addressed. In response to the VDH’s concerns, Richmond has outlined plans to increase staffing during storm events, particularly when power outages are likely. The city cited a Virginia code requiring at least two employees to be present during operations at a Class 1 water treatment plant, with the possibility of increasing staff attendance as needed to safeguard public health.
The city has pledged to reassess staffing levels after a report from the consulting firm HNTB, which is investigating the water crisis, is finalized. HNTB’s findings are expected by April 1, while the VDH’s own investigation should be concluded by April 7. Both reports will provide additional recommendations for improvements.
Despite the challenges, Richmond officials have expressed a firm commitment to ensuring public health and compliance with state regulations. The city’s efforts to overhaul its water treatment system are ongoing, with long-term plans to enhance infrastructure and staff training, in hopes of preventing another water crisis in the future.
