Recreational water advisory issued for James River due to sewage release

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has issued a recreational water advisory for areas of the James River spanning from Richmond to Henrico County due to a sewage release.

Effective immediately on Wednesday, July 17, recreational water activities, such as swimming, wading, tubing and whitewater kayaking should be avoided at the James River beginning at the Manchester Bridge in Richmond and ending at Osborne Landing in Henrico County, according to VDH.

The recreational water advisory issued by VDH comes as a caution due to an ongoing sewage release from a City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities sewer pipe.

On Tuesday, July 16, a sewer release near the Pipeline Trail, along the James River, was first reported to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and VDH.

According to VDH, the situation is being actively monitored by both DEQ and VDH, and the advisory will be lifted once bacteria levels are at “levels acceptable for recreational contact.”

Richmond Department of Public Utilities is in the process of shutting down the pipeline and making assessments. Repairs will begin as soon as possible, according to VDH.

DEQ is conducting water sampling along the James River to assist VDH in determining advisory updates. According to VDH, additional samples will be taken once the sewer repair is complete.

VDH has observed no evidence of impacts to drinking water at the time of reporting. According to VDH, the Richmond drinking water intake is upstream from the impacted site and remains unaffected.

Public access points to the James River in the impacted area include Great Shiplock Park and Chapel Island, Dock Street Park, Wharf Street/Intermediate Terminal, Ancarrow’s Landing and Osborne Landing.

Activities, which are not likely to result in water submersion, such as boating, fishing and canoeing, may continue with proper caution to avoid contact with the water.

According to VDH, swallowing contaminated water can cause gastrointestinal illnesses, with vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain or fever. Contact with contaminated water can also cause infections of the ears, nose, throat and skin.

To prevent recreational water illnesses due to exposure to the sewage release event, people should:

• Avoid contact with the bodies of water noted above and observe advisory signage posted at access points to the bodies of water.
• Avoid any area of the bodies of water where there is water with a foul odor, dead or dying fish, or discolored water.
• Promptly wash skin with soap and water if you cannot avoid contact with water in the vicinity.
• Seek medical care and notify your practitioner of the exposure to the listed bodies of water if you experience adverse health effects after contact with the bodies of water.

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