Richmond submits 20-page letter addressing concerns about its water system

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The city of Richmond is continuing its efforts to correct issues that led to the water crisis in January.

Last month, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) gave the city 30 days to respond to the notice of alleged violation and implement changes after claiming Richmond wasn't capable of providing its residents with clean drinking water.

On Friday, Feb. 21, the city submitted a 20-page letter back to the VDH's Office of Drinking Water. It detailed the city's plans to make changes at the water treatment plant — after a power outage left Richmonders without clean water for nearly a week.

The city said it has now conducted verbal and formal training with operators and maintenance staff on power outages -- with specific standard operating procedures provided on paper. This includes regular testing of backup power, how to switch power sources and proof that backup power sources were tested.

The city says plant employees will be trained in these new procedures by June. And that emergency generators will get their own automatic transfer switch by November.

Furthermore, the city said increased staffing may be required by the VDH on a “case-by-case basis to protect public health,” and will be further evaluated once the third-party investigation into the water crisis is complete.

The third-party investigator will reportedly release its full report into the Richmond water crisis no later than April 1. VDH’s own investigation will be complete no later than April 7.