‘This isn’t just a City of Richmond problem’: Environmentalists sound alarm on James River after Potomac sewage spill

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Richmond environmentalists are calling for changes to city wastewater and sewage systems to protect the James River. This after a leak in January that dumped 250 million gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac River, the largest wastewater spill in U.S. history.

According to James River Keeper Tom Dunlap, 3.6 billion gallons of untreated storm and wastewater entered the James River in 2025. Ten percent of that combined water is untreated wastewater which includes gray water and sewage.

Dunlap said pathogens in that water can cause huge concerns for human health.

“Unfortunately, problems with wastewater and sewage getting into river systems is a problem for the James River as well,” Dunlap said.

Dunlap said even without a "spill," Richmond’s combined sewer system puts a significant amount of untreated wastewater into the James River every year.

Two river spills renew concerns about Virginia’s aging water infrastructure

However, in the General Assembly, Del. Betsy Carr and Sen. Mike Jones have introduced budget amendments to keep finalized projects on track that would help to reduce sewage and bacteria pollution to the James River.

One of them is the Canoe Run Project -- on the south side of the river. This is a storage and capacity project, which is already partly funded and process for development

The second is the High-Rate Disinfection at Shockoe retention basin. This is a project that will increase temporary system capacity at the largest problem area in the Combined Sewer System, which was responsible for 76% of the reported overflows in 2025.

The city of Richmond has indicated that, without support from the General Assembly, costs to the city of Richmond ratepayers could increase by 40%, residents who already have some of the highest wastewater utility bills in the state.

“This isn't just a City of Richmond problem. People come from all over to enjoy the James River, and people come to the city and use our wastewater infrastructure. We really need support from the General Assembly to ensure that these projects can get completed that year,” said Dunlap. “Everybody benefits from having clean water, and we need to get these projects completed to get there.”