Virginia lawmakers respond to federal government canceling Richmond water treatment plant funds

RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia’s Democratic lawmakers are voicing frustration and concern after the Department of Homeland Security canceled a $12 million FEMA grant meant to upgrade Richmond’s aging water treatment plant infrastructure.

According to a spokesperson for Sen. Mark Warner, the city was selected for the award in August 2023, with funds coming from the 2022 fiscal year. However, the money had not yet been received by the city, and federal payouts for such grants often take time.

The grant was intended to address longstanding design flaws and structural decay at Richmond's water treatment facility. The proposed upgrades aimed to improve resilience against severe weather and 100-year flood events, ensuring safe and consistent access to drinking water for the region.

According to a letter sent by U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), joined by Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA-03) and Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, lawmakers emphasized the critical need for the funding, noting that vulnerable residents, businesses and key infrastructure would be most affected by the decision to revoke the grant.

Congresswoman McClellan issued a separate statement, warning of the consequences.

“The Trump Administration’s shortsighted actions ignore the dire need to repair and update Richmond’s century-old water treatment plant, which failed miserably during January storms, cutting off access to drinking water throughout the region. Without this grant, the region will undoubtedly face contamination and disruptions in drinking water service during future storms.”

Sen. Kaine also sent 8News the following statement on the matter:

“I’m outraged by DHS’s decision to cancel a federal grant program that was set to provide significant funding to upgrade Virginia’s infrastructure, including for the Richmond Water Treatment Facility and Lake Meade Dam. That’s why I wrote to DHS urging them to reverse their decision and allow this funding, which has already gone through a thorough review process, to flow into Virginia communities.”

While FEMA has not offered a detailed reasoning for the cancellation, a spokesperson for the agency criticized the grant program, claiming it had become “more concerned with political agendas than helping Americans affected by natural disasters.”

Republican Congressman Rob Wittman also weighed in, calling for immediate attention to the issue.

“The Richmond water crisis was devastating – our community deserves safe, dependable water systems. We must secure funding for the Richmond water treatment plant’s overdue upgrades, which is why I plan to speak with the administration to highlight this urgent need in our community and work to find a solution for these critical upgrades.” 

ALL COVERAGE: Richmond Area Water Crisis

Lawmakers have also raised concerns that, without federal support, the burden of funding improvements could fall on residents through increased utility rates.