Richmond Expands Boil Water Advisory After Treatment Plant Filter Failures

On May 27, Richmond, Virginia, issued a boil water advisory impacting numerous neighborhoods after its water treatment plant experienced operational issues caused by high sedimentation and turbidity that clogged multiple water filters. Despite initial assurances that no advisory was necessary, the filters reclogged after running at full capacity, leading to reduced water pressure and prompting city officials to expand the advisory to include additional areas, including parts of South Richmond. The city requires two negative water tests taken 16 hours apart to lift the advisory, with residents advised to boil water before use due to potential contamination risks. Residents have expressed frustration over inconsistent emergency alerts, as many reported not receiving timely notifications through Richmond’s ReadyAlerts system, though city officials urged residents to verify their subscription settings. Local leaders emphasized the challenge posed by poor raw water quality and acknowledged this is the second boil water advisory in just over five months, with ongoing investigations into the root cause. Community members called for patience and understanding as the city works to resolve the issue and ensure safe water access.