Richmond, VA residents can finally breathe easier—the city has officially lifted its boil water advisory after days of uncertainty and precautionary measures. The advisory, triggered by a sudden drop in water pressure due to filter issues at the Douglasdale Road treatment plant, affected neighborhoods stretching from the West End to downtown, and even expanded to parts of South Richmond, including Manchester, Hillside Court, and Bellemeade.
City officials confirmed the advisory was lifted Thursday afternoon, May 29, 2025, after two rounds of water quality tests came back negative, signaling the water is once again safe to drink without boiling Until then, thousands of residents had been advised to boil tap water for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, and preparing food—a precaution taken whenever water pressure drops below psi, which can allow potential contaminants into the system.
The incident marks the third disruption in less than six months, raising concerns about the aging infrastructure and the city’s ability to manage essential services. Mayor Danny Avula acknowledged the frustration and pledged ongoing commitment to identifying and fixing the problems Restaurants and businesses also faced challenges, and city officials are considering relief options for those impacted.
For now, Richmond’s water is back to normal, but the spotlight remains on the city’s water treatment facilities and the need for long-term solutions to prevent future outages. Residents are encouraged to stay informed through official city channels for any updates.
