August 1, 2024
Media contacts:
For recreational water advisory: Brookie Crawford, VDH, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov
For sewer main repairs: Rhonda Johnson, COR DPU, rhonda.johnson@rva.gov
For water quality testing: Irina Calos, DEQ, Irina.Calos@deq.virginia.gov
VDH Lifts Recreational Water Advisory for the James River
Public Can Resume All Recreational Activities
RICHMOND, Va. – Effective immediately, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is lifting the recreational water advisory for the James River beginning at the Manchester Bridge (9th Street) in the City of Richmond and ending at Osborne Landing in Henrico County.
The advisory was issued July 17, out of an abundance of caution due to a sewer release near the Pipeline Trail, along the James River. The situation has been actively monitored by both DEQ and VDH.
Water quality sampling results collected by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) on July 29 and July 30 indicate bacteria concentrations in the James River in the prior advisory area are at levels acceptable for all recreational water use.
Swimming or other activities in any natural body of water always pose some health risk because the water is not disinfected. Children under the age of five years, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of contracting illness from natural bodies of water.
To stay safe while recreating in natural waters the public should:
- Never swallow untreated water and don’t swim if your skin has cuts or open wounds.
- Wash hands frequently, including after swimming and before preparing and eating food.
- Shower or bathe after swimming to wash off possible germs and contaminants.
- Check the water and the area around it before swimming. Avoid going in water if there is a green film on the water or if the water is cloudier than usual. Avoid swimming near storm drains or livestock.
- Avoid swimming if you are vomiting or have diarrhea.
- Avoid contact swimming in natural waterways for three days following rain events. Heavy rain picks up anything it comes in contact with, including germs from overflowing sewage, polluted storm water, and runoff from land.
- Avoid any area of the waterbody where there is water with a foul or chemical odor, dead or dying fish, or discolored water.
- If taking fish caught from natural waters, remove the skin from filets and dispose of viscera and internal organs. Cook filets to proper temperature and clean knives and cutting boards with soapy water. Follow posted fish consumption advisories.
- Check with your healthcare provider before swimming in oceans, lakes, rivers, and other natural bodies of water if your body’s ability to fight germs is already affected by other health problems or medicines.
For more information on recreational water safety, visit www.SwimHealthyVA.com.
# # #