CLIFF NOTES Virginia’s drinking water infrastructure received a C+ grade from the American Society of Civil Engineers. Virginia has 2,860 public water systems, some of which are more than 200 years old. Aging pipes, population growth, demand, funding limitations, flooding, and drought contribute to infrastructure concerns. Newport News Waterworks says sustained local, state, and federal … Read more
CLIFF NOTES: A 30-inch sewer force main broke in Portsmouth on Aug. 4. The failure released an estimated 3.15 million gallons of sewage and wastewater. A recreational water advisory for Hull Creek was issued Aug. 5 and later lifted. A second crack required an additional repair clamp on Aug. 11. Virginia health officials reported no … Read more
UPDATE: Partial Lifting of Advisories The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has lifted sections of the recreational water and fish consumption advisories initially issued following a chemical storage facility fire on July 6. The affected area includes a portion of the Meherrin River, starting at Route 138 (Union Mill Road) and flowing southeast through Lawrenceville … Read more
Update: May 31, all swimming advisories are now lifted. Health agencies across Hampton Roads have issued swimming advisories due to elevated bacteria levels detected in recent water tests. These advisories are aimed at protecting public health by warning against swimming in affected areas until water quality improves. Specific Beaches Affected Buckroe Beach South: The Hampton … Read more