Note: this press release shares the latest water main updates from Sunday, July 5, at 9:52 a.m. Looking for previous updates on the water main break and repair? 

• July 3, 10:30 a.m.: Overnight Water Main Break Isolated, Service Being Restored
• July 3, 6:01 p.m.: Water Pressure Continues to Increase Across the Region  

Following Friday’s water main break, efforts to optimize pressure across all pressure zones in the water system proved successful yesterday. Sampling results for each of the nine pressure zones continues to confirm safe drinking water throughout the distribution system. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) was provided the results, and DPU will continue to coordinate with VDH throughout the long-term repair efforts.  

Additionally, access and staging for the repair work on the 36” water main was successfully initiated July 4th. Work is scheduled to begin Monday, July 6th. DPU will continue to coordinate with its regional partners throughout the repair process and may adjust system operations to ensure optimal performance.  

For the most up-to-date information on utility work impacts in their area, citizens are encouraged to sign up for CivicReady to receive alerts. 

We appreciate the patience of all impacted customers throughout the water main break. Should customers experience issues with water pressure in their home they can call the DPU Call Center at 804-646-4646.  

Richmond, VA - The City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities (DPU) continues to see increased pressures throughout the region’s water distribution system, as water storage tanks fill and return to full capacity after the 36” water main isolation and recovery. 

This was an isolated water main break; however DPU mitigated this interruption by balancing system demands throughout the nine pressures zones in the system and working closely with our regional partners. Drinking water remained safe during these activities and continues to be due to the decisive action taken by staff and their dedication to our customers.  

All customers should be experiencing water pressure that is within normal conditions with an expectation that the pressure will increase as the storage tanks within the system are filled further. Customers who are experiencing low water pressure currently, should report that by calling the DPU Call Center at 804-646-4646 so crews can investigate as a hydrant may need to be flushed in their area to improve service or it may be an unrelated issue that needs to be investigated further.

Crews were onsite throughout the day with contractors to assess the needed repairs for the 36” water main parallel to the canal. Mobilization of the repair crew will begin on Saturday, July 4 to perform preliminary access work and staging, with repair work scheduled to begin Monday, July 6. Updates on anticipated timeframe for full repair will be available after that time.

DPU continues to coordinate with its regional partners and may adjust system operations further to address any localized pressure concerns.  

In a prior press release, the City stated “As a result, customers in some portions of the City were impacted and experienced low or no pressure, resulting in no water for a period of time for some users.” This statement was in reference to the pressure within the customer homes and not the pressure within the distribution system. Out of an abundance of caution, DPU has sampled through the entire distribution system and will provide those results when they are completed. These results will be provided to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) for their review.

Updated: July 4, 2026; 10:15 a.m.

Residents and visitors reminded to avoid the area

Richmond, VA — Crews led by CSX continue to work on stabilizing two train cars that remain on the elevated tracks following yesterday’s derailment.

Dock Street (from 18th Street to Pear Street) and the Capital Trail (from Mile Marker 51.2 to Mile Marker 51.7) remain closed until further notice.

Users of the Capital Trail are reminded to avoid the area and use E. Cary Street as a detour.

Updated: July 3, 2026; 10:30 p.m.

UPDATE: Detours in Effect While Work Continues on Freight Train Derailment

Richmond, VA  — While crews work throughout the night to stabilize the derailed freight train and restore the surrounding site, several changes to traffic patterns are in effect until further notice:

 Dock Street is closed from 18th Street to Pear Street. Drivers should use E. Cary Street or E. Main Street.

• The Capital Trail is closed from 18th Street to Pear Street. People walking, riding, or rolling should use E. Cary Street.
• The lower level of the parking lot at 2100 Canal Street is closed. All other parking lots in the area are open and accessible.

City leaders continue to collaborate with appropriate regional, state, and industry agencies and officials to restore the site. The next scheduled update will be tomorrow morning, July 4.

Background

Earlier today, the Richmond Fire Department responded to a freight train derailment that occurred at approximately 4:04 p.m. near the intersection of Dock and 20th Streets. Three train cars out of the approximately 200-car train derailed into the canal.

No injuries have been reported, and no HAZMAT issues have been reported.

Residents should avoid the area and monitor the City’s website ( http://rva.gov ) and social media for further information.

Updated: July 3, 2026; 8:22 p.m.

UPDATE: Dock Street Remains Closed as Crews Work to Stabilize Freight Train

Richmond, VA — Crews from CSX have arrived to the scene of today’s train derailment and are now working restore service to the surrounding area and stabilize two cars still on the elevated tracks.

The cleanup effort has impacted several nearby streets:

• Dock Street from 18th through 22nd Streets will remain closed throughout the night
• The Capital Trail in the impacted area is closed until further notice.

Background

Earlier today, the Richmond Fire Department responded to a freight train derailment that occurred at approximately 4:04 p.m. near the intersection of Dock and 20th Streets. Three train cars out of the approximately 200-car train derailed into the canal and two additional cars remain unstable at this time.

No injuries have been reported, and no HAZMAT issues have been reported.

Residents should avoid the area and monitor the City’s website ( http://rva.gov ) and social media for further information.

Updated: July 3, 2026; 6:00 p.m.

Richmond Fire Department Responds to Freight Train Derailment at Dock and 20th Streets

Richmond, VA — The Richmond Fire Department is responding to a freight[CRAO1]  train derailment that occurred at approximately 4:04 p.m., Friday, July 3rd, near the intersection of Dock and 20th Streets. Three train cars out of the approximately 200-car train have derailed into the canal and two additional cars remain unstable at this time. The immediate goal is to stabilize the train.

All cars on this train were carrying grain, and, at this time, no HAZMAT issues have been reported. No injuries have been reported.

Dock Street is closed from 18th to 22nd Streets. Residents should avoid the area and monitor the City’s website and social media for further information.

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El Departamento de Bomberos de Richmond responde al descarrilamiento de un tren de carga en las calles Dock y 20th  

Richmond, VA — El Departamento de Bomberos de Richmond está respondiendo a un descarrilamiento de un tren de carga ocurrido aproximadamente a las 4:04 p. m. del viernes 3 de julio, cerca de la intersección de las calles Dock y 20th.

Tres vagones de un tren de aproximadamente 200 vagones se descarrilaron y cayeron al canal. Además, otros dos vagones permanecen inestables en este momento. El objetivo inmediato de los equipos de emergencia es estabilizar el tren.

Todos los vagones de este tren transportaban grano de maíz y, hasta el momento, no se han reportado materiales peligrosos (HAZMAT) involucrados en el incidente. Tampoco se han reportado personas lesionadas.

La calle Dock permanece cerrada entre las calles 18th y 22nd. Se recomienda a los residentes evitar el área y mantenerse informados a través del sitio web de la Ciudad de Richmond (http://rva.gov) y de las redes sociales oficiales para obtener actualizaciones

Richmond, VA — In the overnight hours, at approximately 1:30 a.m., the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) noticed through standard monitoring processes low water pressure in the distribution system. Crews responded and confirmed a water main break on a 36” line that runs parallel to the canal. As a result, customers in some portions of the City were impacted and experienced low or no pressure, resulting in no water for a period of time for some users. 

DPU crews were able to isolate the main and restore water to some impacted customers within a few hours. Some customers are still experiencing low pressure; DPU is working continuously to restore pressure. It is important for customers to know that drinking water remains safe.  

DPU coordinated with regional partners and diverted flow from Henrico to allow crews to assess the underlying problem. DPU’s initial assessment shows that extensive repairs will be needed, and are expected to take several weeks. During that time, we will continue to maintain service to all users, and water disruption is not anticipated. DPU will update customers through CivicReady and on RVA.gov as more information becomes available.  

DPU continues to coordinate with its regional partners and may adjust system operations further to address any localized pressure concerns. 

This was an isolated water main break and all water pressure remained safe throughout. Drinking water remains safe.  

For the most up-to-date information on utility work impacts in their area, citizens are encouraged to sign up for CivicReady to receive alerts. 

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A CivicReady alert was dispatched at 2:36 a.m. reporting a water main break at the Trafford Pump Station and Westhampton Pump Station. As further assessment was conducted, the specific location of the water main break was determined.