The old pipe above the James River began leaking July 2, two government officials said Friday. But the public wasn’t informed that sewage was spilling into the water until more than two weeks later on July 17.
That’s when the health department issued an advisory, telling people to avoid the lower portions of the James River.
On July 2, the city learned about the leak. Within 24 hours, it notified the Department of Environmental Quality via email. But because of a technical malfunction, DEQ did not receive the message, said Brookie Crawford, a spokesperson for the Virginia Department of Health.
The leak has been stopped, but the health department has not given an all-clear yet. Entering the river upstream from Ninth Street in downtown Richmond is still considered safe. The water around Pony Pasture and Belle Isle are still clean.
The city reported the problem to the Department of Environmental Quality within 24 hours, said Rhonda Johnson, a spokesperson for the department. But the health department did not learn of the leak from DEQ until two weeks later on July 16, Crawford said.
When asked Friday about the 15-day delay between the leak’s discovery and the health department advisory, Irina Calos with DEQ said the CrowdStrike outage prevented the agency from accessing its database and responding to the newspaper's question.
When state and city officials issued a river advisory Wednesday, informing residents to avoid lower portions of the James River, they did not reveal that the leak had been ongoing for two weeks.
On Wednesday, the city’s utilities department said it was in the process of shutting down the 50-year-old pipe, which has been deteriorating since July 2021, Johnson said. At that time, workers installed a bypass pump to reroute the flow of sewage. The pump worked until July 16, when it went offline.
This week, workers were able to reestablish the bypass, removing the flow of sewage from the pipe and stop the leak.
The department began a short-term repair Thursday, installing plugs to isolate the damaged line. On Monday, a welder will install a steel plate on the underside of the pipe to seal off leakage points. The work will be challenging, Johnson said, because the pipe is elevated above the river, and access is difficult.
“Crews may have to consider workarounds based on the location and complexity of the impacted area,” she added.
For a more long-term fix, the city intends to weld metal flanges to completely isolate both ends of the pipe. That work is expected to begin the first week of August.
Johnson noted that Richmond has old infrastructure. The department monitors 5,000 miles of water, sewer and gas pipes and 200,000 other fire hydrants, meters and valves.
When sewage and bacteria enter the river, people swimming downstream can develop stomach illness. The health department has not received reports of any adverse health effects from river goers, Crawford said.
The leak occurred at the Manchester Bridge at Ninth Street downtown, which is downstream from popular swimming, tubing and rafting destinations such as Pony Pasture and Belle Isle.
Sewage often enters the James after heavy rainstorms. The city’s old sewer system combines sewage and storm water. Heavy rain causes the pipes to overflow, known as a Combined Sewer Overflow, or CSO.
Residents can monitor overflows in real time on a map on the city of Richmond’s website.
Regarding the July 9 story, "New Richmond ballpark now has general contractors on the team," which reported: "The Richmond Flying Squirrels selected Gilbane and Prestige Construction Group as general contractors of the ballpark on North Arthur Ashe Boulevard that will be home to the Flying Squirrels and VCU’s baseball program."
Was this a competitive bidding process? And why is a Double-A baseball team qualified to "select" contractors or give out our tax money? Sounds like a slush fund to me.
With all the news regarding the upcoming election, I have one question for all voters, young and old: Would you leave your young children — or older, compromised family members — alone in the care of President Joe Biden?
Isn't that what we're considering in this election?
Virginia is the only state with coastlines on the Atlantic or Gulf coasts that allows reduction fishing in its state waters. Omega Protein, a heavy political player in Richmond, is the sole reduction fishery in Virginia. Del. Lee Ware, R-Powhatan, introduced a bill authorizing a three-year study of "the ecology, fishery impacts, and economic importance of the Atlantic menhaden population" in the Chesapeake Bay to be done in collaboration with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, relevant stakeholders, recreational anglers, reduction and bait fishery sectors and nongovernmental organizations.
The bill was tabled until next year, which means it will be at least 2029 before a three-year study can be completed. All the while, Omega Protein is “reduction fishing” 350 million pounds of menhaden from our bay every year.
This study would have been the first ever conducted in the bay. All present outdated data comes from the Atlantic Ocean. Bay charter boat captains say their trips for rockfish are drastically reduced for three reasons: There are very few of these prized fish to be caught, the limit is one fish per person and the 2024 minimum size is now 24 inches. Why bother?
In many areas of the lower bay, Osprey hatchling are failing to fledge because their parents cannot find enough food for them to eat. The primary food source for the Ospreys is Atlantic menhaden. Last year, Omega Protein fished out the schools of menhaden in Mobjack Bay, which caused a huge decrease in Osprey nests with fledged chicks. The chicks just starved to death. We need to ensure that their main food source stays healthy.
I am not trying to run this Canadian-owned company out of business, although the DOJ is pursuing two cases concerning their Canadian ownership. I just want them out of Virginia state waters, which includes our precious bay, until this study can be completed.
Being the same age as President Joe Biden, there is no ageism in my comments. I have witnessed friends and family members face the difficult decision of when to “take away the keys.”
Yes, seniors can become more stubborn and self-centered as we age, and we acknowledge that time is running out. In the case of President Biden, he holds “the keys” to the future of our democracy and he must step aside to allow a physically strong and mentally sharp leader the opportunity to run for the highest office in the land. He must beat former President Donald Trump, who once gleefully stated: “I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose any voters, okay?” I may be among the few who actually hear what he is saying, and the words that come out of his mouth are truly irrational and threatening.
So where does the fault lie? In my opinion, the blame lies with our senators and congressmen who don’t have the desire to stand up to truth and will do anything to retain their power. They too are self-serving and equally at fault. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger gave up their power for truth and, hopefully, when they look in the mirror they like who they see.
Take a walk over the Potterfield Bridge, the pedestrian bridge connecting Brown’s Island to Richmond’s South Side, and you’ll see River City residents doing their best to beat this brutal heat. To your right, Belle Isle sunbathers. To your left, James River kayakers.
As noted in the June 30 opinion piece "Recommit to a healthier James," this scene is tied to decades-long efforts to restore the Chesapeake Bay for the more than 18 million people who live in the bay watershed.
There’s been progress, but unfortunately we won’t meet 2025 deadlines to reduce pollution established by the Clean Water Act. This year, Gov. Glenn Youngkin must commit to continue working with other states in the region to ensure future generations can enjoy clean waterways.
States in the watershed have worked together to restore our waterways since 1983. The momentum behind this collaboration aided the James River’s recovery from the days when you could not swim or fish in the water to the vibrant riverfront Richmond now enjoys. Projects like upgrading wastewater treatment plants, fixing ancient stormwater pipes and fencing cattle from streams all came from this partnership.
But we can’t stop now. We still have too many days when the James is too polluted for swimming. Richmond streets flood too often. There are too many warnings that prevent our kids from eating the fish they catch.
Gov. Youngkin has long spoken of the importance of the bay and has supported critical investments in its cleanup.
By attending the Chesapeake Executive Council Meeting this December and agreeing to update the Chesapeake Bay Agreement by the end of 2025, the governor would send a powerful message that he’s committed to advancing the 40-year job of restoring the Chesapeake Bay — and for those of us in Richmond, ensuring a healthy James River will flow under the Potterfield Bridge for generations to come.
Mike Gerel, Chesapeake Bay Foundation Virginia science manager.
Regarding the July 9 story, "New Richmond ballpark now has general contractors on the team," which reported: "The Richmond Flying Squirrels selected Gilbane and Prestige Construction Group as general contractors of the ballpark on North Arthur Ashe Boulevard that will be home to the Flying Squirrels and VCU’s baseball program."
Was this a competitive bidding process? And why is a Double-A baseball team qualified to "select" contractors or give out our tax money? Sounds like a slush fund to me.
With all the news regarding the upcoming election, I have one question for all voters, young and old: Would you leave your young children — or older, compromised family members — alone in the care of President Joe Biden?
Isn't that what we're considering in this election?
Virginia is the only state with coastlines on the Atlantic or Gulf coasts that allows reduction fishing in its state waters. Omega Protein, a heavy political player in Richmond, is the sole reduction fishery in Virginia. Del. Lee Ware, R-Powhatan, introduced a bill authorizing a three-year study of "the ecology, fishery impacts, and economic importance of the Atlantic menhaden population" in the Chesapeake Bay to be done in collaboration with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, relevant stakeholders, recreational anglers, reduction and bait fishery sectors and nongovernmental organizations.
The bill was tabled until next year, which means it will be at least 2029 before a three-year study can be completed. All the while, Omega Protein is “reduction fishing” 350 million pounds of menhaden from our bay every year.
This study would have been the first ever conducted in the bay. All present outdated data comes from the Atlantic Ocean. Bay charter boat captains say their trips for rockfish are drastically reduced for three reasons: There are very few of these prized fish to be caught, the limit is one fish per person and the 2024 minimum size is now 24 inches. Why bother?
In many areas of the lower bay, Osprey hatchling are failing to fledge because their parents cannot find enough food for them to eat. The primary food source for the Ospreys is Atlantic menhaden. Last year, Omega Protein fished out the schools of menhaden in Mobjack Bay, which caused a huge decrease in Osprey nests with fledged chicks. The chicks just starved to death. We need to ensure that their main food source stays healthy.
I am not trying to run this Canadian-owned company out of business, although the DOJ is pursuing two cases concerning their Canadian ownership. I just want them out of Virginia state waters, which includes our precious bay, until this study can be completed.
Being the same age as President Joe Biden, there is no ageism in my comments. I have witnessed friends and family members face the difficult decision of when to “take away the keys.”
Yes, seniors can become more stubborn and self-centered as we age, and we acknowledge that time is running out. In the case of President Biden, he holds “the keys” to the future of our democracy and he must step aside to allow a physically strong and mentally sharp leader the opportunity to run for the highest office in the land. He must beat former President Donald Trump, who once gleefully stated: “I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose any voters, okay?” I may be among the few who actually hear what he is saying, and the words that come out of his mouth are truly irrational and threatening.
So where does the fault lie? In my opinion, the blame lies with our senators and congressmen who don’t have the desire to stand up to truth and will do anything to retain their power. They too are self-serving and equally at fault. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger gave up their power for truth and, hopefully, when they look in the mirror they like who they see.
Take a walk over the Potterfield Bridge, the pedestrian bridge connecting Brown’s Island to Richmond’s South Side, and you’ll see River City residents doing their best to beat this brutal heat. To your right, Belle Isle sunbathers. To your left, James River kayakers.
As noted in the June 30 opinion piece "Recommit to a healthier James," this scene is tied to decades-long efforts to restore the Chesapeake Bay for the more than 18 million people who live in the bay watershed.
There’s been progress, but unfortunately we won’t meet 2025 deadlines to reduce pollution established by the Clean Water Act. This year, Gov. Glenn Youngkin must commit to continue working with other states in the region to ensure future generations can enjoy clean waterways.
States in the watershed have worked together to restore our waterways since 1983. The momentum behind this collaboration aided the James River’s recovery from the days when you could not swim or fish in the water to the vibrant riverfront Richmond now enjoys. Projects like upgrading wastewater treatment plants, fixing ancient stormwater pipes and fencing cattle from streams all came from this partnership.
But we can’t stop now. We still have too many days when the James is too polluted for swimming. Richmond streets flood too often. There are too many warnings that prevent our kids from eating the fish they catch.
Gov. Youngkin has long spoken of the importance of the bay and has supported critical investments in its cleanup.
By attending the Chesapeake Executive Council Meeting this December and agreeing to update the Chesapeake Bay Agreement by the end of 2025, the governor would send a powerful message that he’s committed to advancing the 40-year job of restoring the Chesapeake Bay — and for those of us in Richmond, ensuring a healthy James River will flow under the Potterfield Bridge for generations to come.
Mike Gerel, Chesapeake Bay Foundation Virginia science manager.
Health officials suggest people stay out of the James River from the Manchester Bridge to Osborne Park in Henrico County. Entering the river upstream near Belle Isle or Pony Pasture is still considered safe.