RICHMOND, Va. — The City of Richmond is urging residents with running water to conserve it as the city’s system gets back up to full pressure. Richmond Mayor Danny Avula and Superintendent Jason Kamras provided an update on the city’s ongoing water crisis during a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.
The city’s reservoir water level is currently seven feet, and it needs to reach a minimum of 10 feet to properly test the water for contamination. Avula said that parts of the Northside and the East End are starting to see some water flow, but urged citizens to refrain from flushing, washing dishes, and doing laundry, and to limit shower time to help the reservoir fill faster.
The boil water advisory, which was issued on Monday, will remain in effect until all required testing is complete and approved. Avula said that the water will be safe to drink once the city has gone through its testing protocol with the Virginia Department of Health.
Residents are advised to not drink tap water, use ice made from tap water, wash dishes with tap water, and brush their teeth with tap water. Instead, they should use boiled or bottled water.
To conserve water, residents are asked to eliminate or shorten shower times, avoid unnecessary toilet flushes, postpone washing dishes, and check faucets, showerheads, and under cabinets for drips.
Distribution sites for bottled water have been established around Richmond, and residents who are unable to leave their homes can call 804-646-7000 to arrange for water delivery.
There is no definitive timeline for when the entire city will have normal flowing water, and the city may not have drinkable water until Friday. The City of Richmond and American Red Cross have begun handing out bottled water to “vulnerable populations” in the city, and will continue to distribute water in high-priority areas.