RICHMOND, Va. — Richmond business owners are once again grappling with water-related challenges as a new boil water advisory was issued Tuesday, reigniting concerns across the city less than five months after a devastating week-long outage in January.
LeTeshia Lesane, co-owner of Harlym Bluez restaurant, described the recurring water issues as “kind of like a haunting ghost now,” expressing frustration over the latest disruption that forced her establishment to close on Tuesday.
The advisory was triggered by clogged filters at the city’s water treatment plant, causing low water pressure in much of Richmond. For businesses that depend heavily on running water, even brief interruptions have serious consequences.
Jonathan Highfield, owner of Up All Night Bakery, said the new advisory feels like “salt in the wound” as he continues to recover from January’s crisis, which cost his bakery an estimated $10,000 in lost sales during its week-long closure.
While Highfield received some financial assistance from Richmond’s Small Business Recovery Grant, he noted that the aid fell far short of covering the full extent of the losses. LeTeshia Lesane said she applied for similar support but was denied without explanation.
“In the first place, to be denied when you know that businesses are being affected — that’s just awful,” Lesane said. “And then for it to keep happening?”
The water disruption has not only affected businesses but residents as well. Grocery stores in Carytown, including Publix and Kroger, saw increased traffic as shoppers rushed to purchase bottled water. Kroger reportedly sold out of cases of purified water.
Local resident Tristan Hogan said he managed to get water just before the advisory took effect but acknowledged the strain on many others. “For a lot of people, they’re going to feel the pinch [to buy water],” Hogan said.
The uncertainty surrounding the duration of the boil water advisory is another source of anxiety for residents and business owners alike. City officials announced Tuesday night that, barring further complications, the advisory could be lifted by midday Thursday, May 29.
Highfield said Up All Night Bakery plans to remain open through at least Wednesday, while Lesane noted Harlym Bluez is “pushing to open, but heavily dependent upon if we actually have any water at all.”
As Richmond continues to face these water system challenges, many are left wondering when stability will return to their daily lives and livelihoods.
