Unplanned water valve repair prompted low water pressure in Richmond’s Southside, DPU says

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Many residents of Richmond's Southside area may have experienced low water pressure in the evening on Wednesday and into Thursday morning due to an unplanned repair of a water valve, according to the city's Department of Public Utilities (DPU).

Just after noon on Thursday, Feb. 19, Richmond DPU announced in an email that its crews began an unplanned repair of a water valve at around 11 p.m. the night prior -- Wednesday, Feb. 18 -- in the Forest Hill/Chippenham/Huguenot area.

A DPU spokesperson said the repair was originally expected to be completed by around 2 a.m. on Thursday.

During the repair, the spokesperson said the area was supplied water from a smaller line to maintain water service.

DPU said that some residents may have experience "low pressure or low flow" in their homes during the repair.

The repair reportedly took longer than expected and impacted customers in the area, including Southampton Elementary School, which closed for the day.

DPU said that crews troubleshooted low pressure concerns and noted that a pressure regulating valve did not open fully and may have impacted pressure in some areas.

According to DPU, crews worked around the clock to repair the valve and restore full water service. Full service was reportedly restored beginning at around 11 a.m.