Richmond announces ‘Water Recovery Week,’ encourages residents to support local businesses that closed during the water crisis

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Earlier this month, dozens of local businesses were impacted by the widespread water crisis. That's why the City of Richmond has announced "Let It Flow" during its Water Recovery Week. City leaders are encouraging residents to go out and support local shops and restaurants starting Friday, Jan. 24, through Friday, Jan. 31. Some businesses had to completely close for nearly a week when the city was on a boil water advisory and some didn’t even have running water to boil. The water crisis highlighted how reliable businesses are on clean and safe running water. There were salons that couldn’t wash clients’ hair, coffee shops that didn’t have water to make coffee and gyms that couldn’t operate without a safe water fountain. It's those setbacks that led city leaders to announce a Water Recovery Week. In addition to Water Recovery Week, the City said they are working on final logistical details for resident recovery funds. Mayor Danny Avula said businesses and residents won’t be charged for water they didn’t use during the week of the water crisis and announced a grace period for certain bill due dates. The water crisis started after a power outage at Richmond’s water plant back on Jan. 6, leaving Richmond, Henrico and parts of Hanover and Goochland on a boil water advisory for nearly a week. A recently released Jan. 16 "Notice of Alleged Violation" from the Virginia Department of Health claimed that the city wasn't capable of reliably providing citizens with water.