Dear Neighbors,

It's been a long all few days for everyone! We are starting to get messages that 5th district neighborhoods are starting to come back online. It is important to conserve, more on that below.

The City provided an additional update on water restoration efforts earlier today. Mayor Avula recorded a "top 5 tips" video which you can watch here.

Here's what you need to know: 

• The reservoir holds up to 18 feet of water, a few minutes ago, it was at 12 feet. The level fluctuates—it rises when water is pumped in and drops as we use it. Our goal is to maintain at least 10 feet consistently.
• The good news is water is flowing into the reservoir again. But getting it out to homes and businesses depends on all of us conserving water. Richmond has nine water zones, and each needs to hit 20 psi of pressure before we can test for safe drinking water. Until then, excessive water use will slow our progress. 
• The Boil Water Advisory remains in effect for residents with water. Until the Advisory is lifted, all residents should continue to boil water before consuming it. Mayor Avula shared that the earliest that the Advisory could be lifted is Friday. 
• Significantly more water is being delivered tonight, and distribution sites will be back open tomorrow at 10:30am and will remain open until at least 2:30pm. Locations listed below.
• Residents who are unable to visit a distribution center to pick up water are still encouraged to call 311. You will then be added to a queue for RPD and public safety partners to deliver water to you. 

Conservation. Conservation. Conservation.

For the system to work for everyone, the system needs pressure, which comes from the water level in our reservoir. The level fluctuates—it rises when water is pumped in and drops as we use it. Our goal is to maintain at least 10 feet consistently. As noted above we're sitting at 12 feet.

Please do not flush your water systems via a hose spigot or otherwise as we start to see water service return, as this will significantly slow down the accumulation of system wide pressure and limit the availability of water for critical functions like flushing toilets and replenishing water-based heating systems. Flushing or clearing a water system is good guidance for after the boil water advisory is lifted to help ensure that you are drinking the cleanest water possible, but we are not yet at that stage. 

In the coming days, the City will need to work with state health officials to complete two tests demonstrating safe drinking water for the boil advisory to be lifted - the two successful tests must be at least 16 hours apart. However, we cannot begin the testing as the current water pressure levels are not high enough. Water pressure must be at 20 PSI. Citywide while as of this afternoon, we were averaging only 10 PSI. Any excess/unnecessary water usage will keep us from reaching the necessary water pressure levels, delaying the beginning of testing and lifting of the boil advisory. Please continue to help your Richmond neighbors by conserving.

That said, we have received several concerns about fire hydrants draining throughout the City. This is intentional, and is part of the controlled process of flushing the water system of debris and sediment.

Restaurants and Restaurant Employees

Our restaurants throughout Carytown, Uptown, the 5th district and city have taken huge hits not only to their businesses but a lot of their employees went home with out paychecks. Once things return to normal it might be the perfect time to eat out for an extra meal if you have it in your budget.

Below are the Health Department Guidelines for the Restaurants.

https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/richmond-city/emergency-guidelines-for-food-facilities-under-a-boil-water-advisory-bwa/

Water Distribution Sites

Bottled water distribution sites across the city will continue to operate tomorrow starting at 10:30am and will remain open until at least 2:30pm as supplies last at the following locations: 

• Broad Rock Library - 4820 Old Warwick Road (23224)
• West End Library - 5420 Patterson Avenue (23226)
• Hickory Hill Community Center - 3000 Belt Boulevard (23234)
• Bellemeade Community Center - 1800 Lynhaven Avenue (23224)
• Midtown Green - 2401 W Leigh Street (23220)
• Pine Camp Community Center - 4901 Old Brook Road (23227)
• Randolph Community Center - 1415 Grayland Avenue (23220)
• Westover Hills Community Center - 1301 Jahnke Road (23225)
• East End District Initiative (EDI) - 701 N 25th Street (23223)
• Southside Plaza - 4100 Hull Street Road (23224)

Residents who are truly unable to visit a distribution center to pick up water are to call 311. You will then be added to a queue for RPD and public safety partners to deliver water to you. If you have a neighbor, that can pick water up for you at a distribution site that will most likely be faster.

Does your family need a shower?

If you need access to a shower, several YMCAs in the region (outside of the City) have opened their doors to non-members for showering. Those locations include:

• Manchester Family YMCA - 7450 Hull Street Rd (23235)
• Tuckahoe Family YMCA - 9211 Patterson Ave (23229)
• Patrick Henry Family YMCA - 217 Ashcake Rd (23005)
• John Rolfe Family YMCA - 2244 John Rolfe Pkwy (23233)
• Shady Grove Family YMCA - 11255 Nuckols Rd (23059) 
• Chester Family YMCA - 3911 W Hundred Rd (23831)

Additionally, the Weinstein JCC at 5403 Monument Ave (23226) has opened its shower facilities to non-members (valid ID required, per their policy).

More Snow/Ice is Coming - Friday evening into Saturday morning

Inclement Weather Shelters

To protect and shelter Richmond’s most vulnerable residents, the City’s Inclement Weather Shelter, located at 1900 Chamberlayne Avenue and operated by the Salvation Army, will continue operations based on the weather.

Additionally, two temporary inclement weather overflow shelters can be activated during this inclement weather event and will continue to operate as needed:

1.      Marshall Plaza, 900 E. Marshall Street, Richmond (single adult men and women/families)

2.      Richmond Police Department’s 2nd Precinct, 177 E. Belt Boulevard (single adult men and women) 

Note these two locations will serve in an overflow capacity only. Single adult men and women in need should prioritize sheltering at the Inclement Weather Shelter located at 1900 Chamberlayne Avenue. Meals will be provided at all sites.

Richmond, VA - Due to expected inclement weather, the Bring One for the Chipper recycling event originally scheduled for this Saturday has been rescheduled to Saturday, January 18. All other details for the event remain the same.

Event Details (City of Richmond residents only, no commercial vendors):

• Date: Saturday, January 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Location: 1710 Robin Hood Road (23220)
• 
  

The following items will be collected at the event:

• Christmas Tree Recycling (no charge, remove all lights and decorations)
• Paper Shredding (no charge, remove staples and clips)
• Electronics (some items have fees)
• Go to www.rva.gov/public-works/clean-city-commission for details on fees and items accepted
• Mattresses and Box Springs (no charge – clean or lightly soiled items accepted)

This event is sponsored by the Richmond Department of Public Works, The Clean City Commission, and the Central Virginia Waste Management Authority (CVWMA)

For complete details on this event, go to rva.gov/public-works/clean-city-commission or use this link for the original press relase https://bit.ly/408waxd Email question to AskPublicWorks@rva.gov

Along with my colleagues and administration, we are committed to long-term solutions to prevent an incident like this from occurring again. A full investigation identifying the timeline of the failure and updated comprehensive review of our water system will be delivered.

We will continue to keep you informed of any major updates. You can also stay tuned to the City of Richmond News Page for more information.

We want to thank all of the volunteers and neighbors who have been helping get water to seniors and those without transportation.

Sincerely,

Stephanie and Amy

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