FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 17, 2024
Media contact for the recreational water advisory: Brookie Crawford, VDH, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov
Media contact for the sewer main repairs:Rhonda Johnson, COR DPU, rhonda.johnson@rva.gov
VDH Issues Recreational Water Advisory for the James River from Manchester Bridge to Osborne Landing Due to Sewage Release
Public Advised to Avoid Contact with Contaminated Water
RICHMOND, Va. – Effectively immediately, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is issuing a 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. For the safety of people and pets, VDH is advising that recreational water activities, such as swimming, wading, tubing, and whitewater kayaking (where submersion in the water is likely), should be avoided. The advisory is issued out of an abundance of caution due to an ongoing sewage release from a City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities (COR DPU) sewer pipe.
On July 16, a sewer release near the Pipeline Trail, along the James River, was first reported to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and VDH. The situation is being actively monitored by both DEQ and VDH. The advisory will be lifted once bacteria levels are at levels acceptable for recreational contact.
The COR DPU is in the process of shutting down the pipeline and making assessments. Repairs will begin as soon as possible. DEQ is conducting water sampling along the James River to assist VDH in determining advisory updates. Additional samples will be taken once the sewer repair is complete.
To ensure public safety in this high-recreational use waterbody, the advisory extends from the James River at the Manchester Bridge (9th Street) in the City of Richmond to Osborne Landing in Henrico County (approximately 12 miles of the James River). Public access points to the James River in the impacted area include Great Shiplock Park and Chapel Island, Dock Street Park, Wharf Street/Intermediate Terminal, Ancarrow’s Landing, and Osborne Landing.
Activities, which are not likely to result in water submersion (boating, fishing, canoeing), may continue with proper caution to avoid contact with the water.
VDH has observed no evidence of impacts to drinking water at this time. The Richmond drinking water intake is upstream from the impacted site and remains unaffected.
Swallowing contaminated water can cause gastrointestinal illnesses, with vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, or fever. Contact with contaminated water can also cause infections of the ears, nose, throat, and skin.
To prevent recreational water illnesses due to exposure to the sewage release event, people should:
- Avoid contact with the waterbodies noted above and observe advisory signage posted at waterbody access points.
- Avoid any area of the waterbody where there is water with a foul odor, dead or dying fish, or discolored water.
- Promptly wash skin with soap and water if you cannot avoid contact with water in the vicinity.
- Seek medical care and notify your practitioner of the waterbody exposure if you experience adverse health effects after contact with the waterbody.
For more information on recreational water safety, visit www.SwimHealthyVA.com.
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NOTE: The attached warning sign will be posted at water access points accessible to the public. If private landowners within the vicinity of the advisory would like to post the below signage at their water access points, they may print, laminate, and post the signage.
