Richmond is no stranger to infrastructure challenges, but the recent water crisis has brought the city’s water treatment plant under intense scrutiny. A winter storm that caused a power outage at the plant quickly escalated into a disaster, leaving thousands of residents without water. The incident revealed systemic vulnerabilities in the city’s water systems, including outdated equipment and emergency response plans.
CBS 6 Investigation Uncovers Long-Standing Issues
A series of inspection reports, highlighted in reporting by CBS 6, revealed troubling deficiencies within the Department of Public Utilities (DPU). A 2022 audit conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identified dozens of violations, including corroded pumps, cracked filters, inconsistent inspections, and limited maintenance. The audit also pointed out that the city’s emergency response plan had not been updated since 2017—a glaring oversight for a system tasked with safeguarding public health.
Despite receiving the EPA’s findings in 2022, DPU did not formally respond until January 3, 2025—just days before the water crisis unfolded. Among the department’s commitments in that response were plans to refurbish aging equipment and update its emergency protocols. However, no clear timeline for these improvements has been provided.
When Redundancy Fails
The storm brought the plant’s fail-safe systems to their breaking point. Backups intended to keep operations running during emergencies failed, allowing flooding to disrupt critical functions. Dwayne Roadcap, who heads the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Drinking Water, expressed frustration over the failure of safeguards meant to prevent such crises. “You shouldn’t have this kind of problem,” Roadcap told CBS 6.
While the immediate cause of the outage was the storm-induced power failure, questions remain about whether the aging infrastructure contributed to the severity of the crisis. DPU Director April Bingham acknowledged the plant’s vulnerabilities but stopped short of linking the audit’s findings directly to the recent events. “We have aging infrastructure, and we have to continue to focus on investments in this infrastructure,” she said during a press conference.
Mayor Avula Responds
Richmond’s newly inaugurated mayor, Danny Avula, has vowed to get to the bottom of what went wrong. Speaking just six days into his administration, Avula emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the crisis. “We need to identify weaknesses in planning and execution to ensure this doesn’t happen again,” he said.
When pressed by CBS 6 on whether the city had adequately prepared for the storm, Avula admitted that regular preparedness exercises take place but acknowledged potential gaps in readiness. Failures in the plant’s battery backup system, which powered IT operations but ran out too quickly, highlight the need for more rigorous testing and planning.
A Larger Problem for Cities Nationwide
Richmond’s water crisis is part of a larger story facing cities across the U.S.: aging infrastructure and underfunded modernization efforts. Richmond’s water treatment plant, over a century old, is emblematic of the consequences of deferred maintenance and insufficient capital investment. While city officials have pledged to address the problems, the timeline for these critical upgrades remains unclear.
For residents, the outage was a stark reminder of the importance of reliable water services. It’s a wake-up call for the city to prioritize systemic changes, not only to restore trust but also to ensure Richmond’s water system is equipped to handle future challenges.
Credit Where It’s Due
CBS 6’s investigative reporting was instrumental in uncovering the extent of these long-standing issues, providing critical context to this unfolding crisis. Their work has shone a light on the challenges facing Richmond’s water infrastructure and the urgent need for action.
As Richmond moves forward, this crisis must serve as a turning point. Investments in infrastructure and emergency preparedness aren’t just about avoiding another outage—they’re about protecting the health and well-being of the city’s residents.
