Boil water advisory in Hanover forces Kings Dominion to shut down for the weekend

HANOVER COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Parts of Hanover County are under a boil water advisory, impacting both residents and businesses including one of the area’s biggest attractions.

County officials said the advisory stemmed from a water main break that happened overnight near the Doswell Water Treatment Plant, causing a drop in water pressure across the Doswell service area.

Water main break in Hanover County (Photo: Deniel Dookan, 8News)

The county emphasized that, although there is no contamination to the water, the advisory was recommended by the Virginia Department of Health as a precaution.

The advisory also impacted water supply at Kings Dominion, forcing the amusement park to shut down and turn away dozens of families.

“We just got bombarded with bad news so we’re gonna try to make the best of it,” said Chris Avent who was visiting from North Carolina. He and his family made the two hour drive to the amusement park only to learn the county’s water issues put a damper on their family vacation.

“We were a little saddened cause we planned this event for about a month now just to come down here for that to happen, it threw us off so we have to readjust and do something else,” Avent said.

After spending much of their morning on the road, many families tried to stop at a Burger King across the street from the park, where they learned the advisory had also shut down business there.

“We wish we could serve people, but right now, I really can’t do nothing about it until they give us the okay to open back up,” said Lonnie Fogleman, who runs the franchise with his family.

Fogleman said they had to turn away nearly 100 customers during the lunch rush.

“If we’re down until Monday or Tuesday, that’s affecting me and my family and my bills and everything I got,” he said.

In a recent update, county officials said the first round of water testing was completed Saturday afternoon. A second round is scheduled for Sunday morning. The boil water advisory is expected to remain in place until test results meet safety standards.

Kings Dominion said it plans to reopen on Monday.