Richmond said it isn’t considering relief grants for small businesses after boil water advisory

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Following a three-day-long boil water advisory in several Richmond neighborhoods that caused local restaurants and businesses to close, the City of Richmond told 8News that relief grants are not on its radar.

"At this time, no, the City is not considering grant funding at this time," a spokesperson for Mayor Danny Avula said.

On Tuesday, May 27, a boil water advisory was issued in several Richmond neighborhoods after water filters at the plant were clogged twice by “excessive sediment.” The advisory was lifted at about 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 29, after two sets of water samples came back clean.

This was the second boil water advisory in the city this year.

The first water crisis began on Jan. 6 after a power outage at the Water Treatment Plant that lasted for six days, prompting the city to offer relief grants to small businesses that were forced to close.

On Wednesday, April 16, city officials announced that 117 of the small businesses that applied for its Small Business Recovery Grant Fund would receive a $2,500 or $5,000 grant.