Richmond, VA – Today, the City of Richmond entered into an Order of Consent (Consent Order) with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) for the water event in January 2025. The order summarizes findings and alleged regulatory violations, documents the corrective actions the City has already taken in response, and confirms a Corrective Action Plan to which both VDH and the City have agreed. 

Since January’s water event the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has been implementing changes that promote continual improvement while working toward modernizing the City’s Water Treatment Plant. The agreement notes DPU’s efforts to hire highly skilled and credentialed leadership with direct oversight of plant operations as a key corrective action among the 155 items already addressed or acknowledged. Additional key completed items include:  

• SCADA and Filter UPSs upgraded for runtime capacity 
• Performing Practical tests on UPSs to ensure functionality 
• Established routine testing protocols 
• Established storm response protocols 
• Submitted for review by VDH SOPs on plant operations 
• Updated filter effluent valve control logic 
• Replacement and repair of filter effluent valves 
• Ongoing work on backup generator integration 
• Repairing leaks and establishing additional secondary containment 
• Commenced redesign of overflow pumping 
• Replacement or repair of finished water pumps 

“Since January, my team and I have worked to improve the resilience of the City’s Water Treatment Plant and the region’s water system. We’re taking the recommendations made by our independent investigators at HNTB and those from the Virginia Department of Health seriously, and we’ve already checked a large number of items off the list,” said Mayor Danny Avula. “There’s a lot of work ahead of us, but I know that, together with our partners, we can build a more resilient water system that our region deserves.” 

DPU recently shared an update on the work ahead with a preview of a 10-year plan for improvements to modernize utility services and ensure long-term sustainability, along with a progress update and path forward outlined in the attached memo. 

Water Plant Modernization Road Map 

Phase 1: Foundation Building (2025) 
Critical Infrastructure Upgrades 
High Priority VDH Compliance Items (including those noted in the Consent Order) 
Comprehensive Systems Assessments 
Robust Preventative Maintenance Program 

Phases 2 – 3: Core System Modernization (2026 – 2027) 
Replace SCADA as a Phased Implementation 
Upgrade Primary Treatment Equipment 
Build Redundant Power Systems 
Replace Critical Aging Distribution Mains 

Phases 4 – 5: Resilience & Optimization (2028-2029) 
Complete Automation of Backup Systems 
Full Redundancy for Critical Components 
Advance Water Quality Monitoring 
Major Distribution System Improvement 

Phases 6 – 10: Long-Term Sustainability (2030-2034) 
Remaining Infrastructure Needs 
Smart Water Technology 
Industry Leading Reliable Metrics 
Fully Modernized Systems 
 

DPU Director Scott Morris remarks, “DPU has been diligent in improving our water system over the last several months, this is reflected in actions taken to date in the consent order. We remain committed to working with VDH to meet our collective mission of delivering safe, clean, and reliable drinking water.  We know the road ahead will be challenging and we remain unwavering in our commitment to improving our water system’s reliability that will benefit generations to come.” 

• Memorandum to Richmond City Council, DPU Director Scott Morris
• Order by Consent Issued to the City of Richmond, PWSID No. VA4760100, State Board of Health