RICHMOND, Va. — Richmond’s water treatment plant is facing additional challenges following a mechanical failure of one of its finished water pumps. The incident, which occurred between Monday, January 13 and Tuesday, January 14, has added pressure to the city’s already strained water system, which has been grappling with heightened demand after a six-day water crisis.
The failed pump was one of four responsible for distributing finished water—treated water ready to be sent into the city’s distribution network. A city spokesperson confirmed the failure was due to a mechanical issue, though no further details were immediately provided.
In response, the city has activated two auxiliary pumps to support the three remaining functional pumps. A third auxiliary pump is also on its way to bolster the system’s capacity and provide additional redundancy. These pumps are currently producing 68 million gallons of water daily, which exceeds the average water consumption for this time of year.
Despite the setback, the city’s water reservoir remains at a normal operating level of just over 17 feet as of Tuesday afternoon. Water service disruptions have not been reported in Richmond, and the city’s water supply continues to serve both Richmond and neighboring Hanover and Henrico counties.
Officials in Hanover and Henrico counties have indicated that the pump failure has not impacted their residents’ water service. Hanover County assured the public that its water system is operating normally, while Henrico County reported that water tanks in the eastern part of the county have been filled, helping to stabilize water pressure. Henrico also addressed recent reports of cloudy water, which is a common occurrence due to air bubbles caused by increased pressure in the lines. The county’s Public Utilities department is actively flushing lines to resolve the issue.
The city of Richmond has been taking proactive measures to address the ongoing challenges. In anticipation of the second winter storm of the year, additional personnel, contractors, and equipment were deployed to the water treatment plant over the weekend of January 11. These resources remain on-site to assist with maintaining the system’s functionality. Additionally, the city has successfully installed and tested a new backup battery system at the plant to improve operational resilience.
Richmond officials emphasized that they are closely monitoring the situation and working with outside experts to ensure the continued smooth operation of the water system. New processes and protocols have been implemented to enhance system oversight and staff coordination.
The city’s Department of Public Utilities remains committed to resolving any issues and ensuring that water services are maintained without interruption for the city and surrounding areas.
