RICHMOND, Va. — The Richmond region's water crisis ended on Saturday after Richmond Mayor Danny Avula said the Virginia Department of Health lifted the Boil Water Advisory for Richmond as well as Hanover, Henrico and Goochland counties.
The news comes after two rounds of clean laboratory tests, so Richmond's water supply has been "confirmed safe for drinking," officials wrote.
“We have reached our goal, Richmond,” Avula said. “After an incredible amount of work by so many dedicated public servants — as well as regional, state, and federal partners — we have received the news we’ve been waiting for: With two rounds of clean test results, we have verified that our water is clean and safe for people to drink."
The mayor thanked Richmonders for "their patience and understanding throughout this challenging time."
Officials said water coming out of faucets "may temporarily be cloudy due to trapped air bubbles as the system continues to normalize across the city."
"This is not unusual, and it does not pose a health risk," officials said. "The water safety testing process involves certified laboratory assessment in which samples are evaluated over a 24-hour period to see if they contain contaminants such as harmful bacteria."
Health officials also offered these tips for what to do after a boil water advisory.
WATCH: Richmond mayor drinks tap water after boil water advisory is lifted
Two rounds of testing, conducted 16 hours apart and consisting of multiple samples collected from sites across the city water system, were needed to confirm water safety, according to officials.
The first round of samples started around 10:30 a.m. Thursday and clean results came in Friday afternoon.
The second round of samples was taken Friday from 7:30-11:30 a.m. and test results came in Saturday at 11:30 a.m.
The boil water advisory was issued on Monday, Jan. 6, as a precaution to protect public health due to low or no water pressure in the distribution system.
"Testing conducted earlier in the week affirmed that even during the water service restoration process, the city’s drinking water met or exceeded state and federal drinking water requirements," officials wrote.
Richmond Water Crisis: When third-party investigation could begin
- Richmond Mayor Danny Avula will hold a news conference at noon Saturday. Click here to watch on WTVR.com. Henricoare Hanover are also holding news conferences at noon.
- The City of Richmond, Hanover and Henrico counties reported initial water tests found no harmful contaminants
- A second round of testing, 16 hours after the first, was being processed before the Boil Water Advisory can be lifted
- The Boil Water Advisory had remained in effect earlier Saturday for Richmond, Henrico County, Goochland County and eastern Hanover County
- The goal is to lift the boil water advisory sometime Saturday, depending on the test results
- Most everyone in the Richmond region has had their water service restored (let us know if you don't)
- Henrico officials remain hopeful that the countywide boil water advisory can be lifted as early as Saturday
- Water pick-up sites in Richmond closed Friday. However, National Guard members will deliver water to those in need until the boil order is lifted. Call 311 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
- Water pick-up sites in Henrico also closed Friday as water service was restored to central and eastern Henrico.
- Water pick-up sites in Hanover will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday at Atlee High School (Bottled Water) and 7189 Stonewall Parkway (Potable Water)
- Richmond, Henrico and Hanover schools were closed all of last week
Complete Coverage:
Councilmembers support water crisis probe, say they've funded all DPU requests
Five days into what's become a regionwide water crisis, some Richmond City Councilmembers are supporting calls for a third-party investigation into what caused tens of thousands of residents and business owners to go without water for an extended period of time.
Richmond business owners on challenges caused by water crisis: 'It felt like COVID'
“When you have a business to run, the bills don't stop, the garbage doesn't stop coming out of your checking account. The rent does not stop coming out of your checking account. I think we all feel that.”
Henrico leader encourages citizens to keep asking questions amid Richmond Water Crisis
Henrico Board of Supervisor Chair Tyrone Nelson praised the community for coming together during the Richmond Water Crisis that contributed to eastern Henrico losing water service for days and the entire county being put under a boil water advisory.
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While Richmonders continued to load up on drinkable water after last week's storm knocked out the city's water treatment plant, city and state officials said they are deploying resources and staff aimed to prevent a repeat during Friday's overnight storm.
Past inspections cited Richmond water plant for deteriorating equipment
Inspection reports obtained by CBS 6 revealed that Richmond's Department of Public Utilities has been previously cited for failures related to its emergency planning and deteriorating equipment.
Richmond water plant had generators. So why did city plant flood?
Joel Paulsen, a licensed professional engineer with 20 years of experience designing water systems for cities and counties said it was “very out of the ordinary” for a water system of Richmond’s size to experience catastrophic failure.
Need a shower or drinking water in Hanover, Henrico or Richmond? Here's where you can go.
CBS 6 is keeping an eye on places people in need can go to get drinking water or a shower amid the ongoing water crisis in Richmond.
This is a developing story. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom if you have additional information to share.
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