Boil advisory extended to Manchester, Route 1 corridor

Richmond Mayor Danny Avula said restaurants are allowed to remain open as long as they comply with VDH rules, including using external water sources or bringing all tap water to a rolling boil first. (Eleanor Shaw/The Richmonder)

New neighborhoods in Richmond's Southside have been added to the boil water advisory issued on Tuesday after the city's water plant was taken offline for the second time this year.

The city is updating its interactive map, located here, with details on which addresses need to boil their water before using it. All residents may continue to use their water to shower and flush.

Areas shaded in light orange are subject to the boil advisory. (City of Richmond)

The city also revised its earlier guidance to remove Windsor Farms from the list of impacted communities.

As of Tuesday evening, the city was working to regain full pressure in the water system, at which point testing can begin to lift the boil water advisory.

Unlike the previous water crisis, many residents did not lose water service. Instead, water pressure dropped low enough to trigger mandatory testing before approving the water as safe to drink.

The city is continuing to push a message of conservation, to allow reservoirs to reach full capacity and restore all areas to full service.

"Some customers in these areas may experience a total loss of water service, while others may experience varying degrees of loss in water pressure," the city said. "Impacted residents are encouraged to take conservation steps immediately, and boil water before consuming it."

After initially promising an update this evening, City Council instead reversed course and canceled its evening meeting.

“Due to the uncertainty of the status of water services at Richmond City Hall, and out of an abundance of care, caution, and respect for the time, health, comfort, safety, and needs of visitors and staff, Richmond City Council canceled and rescheduled tonight’s Council Informal and Formal Meetings,” Council President Cynthia Newbille said in a statement issued via council staff.

Despite the cancellation of the council’s meetings, City Hall remained open Tuesday.

The Richmond Flying Squirrels intend to play as scheduled Tuesday evening. The Diamond is inside the boil advisory zone, but the stadium has water pressure, and bottled water will be available for fans at a discounted price.

See our earlier reporting here: