UPDATE! Thursday, May 29, 2025 — 2:30 p.m.
The City of Richmond has officially lifted the boil water advisory issued earlier this week, declaring the water safe to drink following two successful rounds of quality testing. The advisory, which had been in place since Tuesday morning, impacted thousands of residents who were forced to boil tap water for basic use.
In a statement Thursday, Mayor Danny Avula acknowledged the disruption and frustration caused by the incident.
“Richmond residents and restaurants expect better,” Avula said. “I am as committed as ever to finding the problems and fixing them. Doing this work requires being honest about what’s working and what’s not, and I pledge my ongoing commitment to doing just that.”
UPDATE! May 28, 2025 — 10:30 PM
Evening Update: First Water Test Comes Back Clean
The Department of Public Utilities has confirmed that the first round of water testing returned clean results for both affected zones. While this is a critical milestone, the advisory remains in effect for now.
A second water sample was collected earlier today around noon. If those results also come back clean—which we expect by the afternoon of Thursday, May 29—the Boil Water Advisory can officially be lifted.
UPDATE! May 28th, 2025 — 9:20am : Richmond officials issued a boil water advisory Tuesday affecting neighborhoods served by the Ginter Park and Cofer Road tanks after filters at the city’s Douglasdale Road water treatment plant reclogged overnight. Mayor Danny Avula stated the advisory will remain in place until at least Thursday, pending two rounds of successful water testing. While January’s crisis saw a total system failure, the city is currently producing 40–45 million gallons per day, with efforts now focused on refilling reservoirs and restoring pressure.
Richmond residents are once again confronting water service disruptions, as the city’s water treatment plant experienced operational issues early Tuesday, May 27, 2025. The incident has led to a localized boil water advisory and varying degrees of water pressure loss across several neighborhoods.
Incident Overview
According to city officials, the problem originated from high turbidity levels—essentially, increased cloudiness or sediment in the water—which caused some of the plant’s filters to clog. This clogging temporarily reduced the plant’s capacity to produce finished water, leading to diminished water pressure in multiple areas of the city. Despite these challenges, the plant managed to maintain system pressure levels above the threshold that would typically necessitate a citywide boil water advisory.
However, as a precautionary measure, the city issued a localized boil water advisory for residents served by the Ginter Park Tank. Affected neighborhoods include Byrd Park, Brookland Park, Carver, Carytown, Chamberlayne, the Fan, Ginter Park, Jackson Ward, Laburnum Park, the Museum District, North Side, Oregon Hill, Randolph, Scott’s Addition, VCU’s Monroe Park campus, Windsor Farms, and parts of the city center.
Residents in these areas are advised to boil water before consumption and to conserve water as the situation develops.Some customers may experience a total loss of water service, while others may encounter varying degrees of water pressure loss.
A Pattern of Infrastructure Challenges
This incident is the latest in a series of challenges facing Richmond’s water infrastructure. Earlier this year, in January, the city experienced a significant water crisis due to a power failure at the water treatment plant, which led to widespread outages and prompted state investigations. Reports from that period highlighted issues such as deteriorating equipment, outdated emergency planning, and a lack of standard operating procedures as contributing factors.
In response to these ongoing issues, the city has proposed accelerating $38 million in spending over the coming years to improve water infrastructure. This includes a proposed $12 monthly increase in water, wastewater, and gas rates to fund necessary upgrades.
Looking Ahead
Mayor Danny Avula has pledged a thorough review of the current incident to identify necessary improvements. Residents are encouraged to stay informed through the city’s official channels and to continue following boil water advisories and conservation measures as the situation evolves.
For the latest updates, visit rva.gov or follow the City of Richmond’s social media HERE
Support RVA Magazine. Support independent media in Richmond.
In a world where corporations and wealthy individuals now shape much of our media landscape, RVA Magazine remains fiercely independent, amplifying the voices of Richmond’s artists, musicians, and community. Since 2005, we’ve been dedicated to authentic, grassroots storytelling that highlights the people and culture shaping our city.
But we can’t do this without you. A small donation, even as little as $2 – one-time or recurring – helps us continue to produce honest, local coverage free from outside interference. Every dollar makes a difference. Your support keeps us going and keeps RVA’s creative spirit alive. Thank you for standing with independent media. DONATE HERE.
Also, you can show your support by purchasing our merch HERE.
