April 10, 2026
Media Contact: Linda Scarborough, linda.scarborough@vdh.virginia.gov
Repair Contact: Dennis Baker, Dickenson County PSA, dbaker@dickensonpsa.com
VDH Issues Recreational Water Advisory for the McClure River
People and Pets Should Avoid Contact with Contaminated Water
HAYSI, Va. – Due to reports of a sewage spill to a tributary of the McClure River and the anticipated timeline for repairs, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is issuing a recreational water advisory for Virginia residents. For the safety of people and pets, VDH is advising Virginia residents avoid recreational water activities in the McClure River, such as swimming, wading, tubing, white-water canoeing or kayaking, where full-body submersion is more likely to occur. Boating activities where full-body submersion is not likely to occur (motor boating, flatwater canoeing or kayaking, and fishing) may continue with proper caution to avoid exposure to contaminated water.
The advisory is being issued out of an abundance of caution due to a sewage spill to a tributary of the McClure River that was discovered by the Dickenson Public Sewer Authority the week of April 10. The timeline for the repair is expected to occur over the next week but given the uncertainty of the location and issues which may arise, VDH is issuing the advisory so the public may avoid the area until a repair is confirmed. The advisory area extends from the McClure River in front of Electric Hardwoods on Dickenson Hwy to the bridge over the Russell Fork River on State Route 63 Big Ridge Rd. in Dickenson County in the town of Haysi, Virginia.
VDH has observed no evidence of impacts to drinking water at this time.
For updates on the repair status, contact Dennis Baker, Executive Director of the Dickenson County Public Service Authority at (276) 835-1580.
To prevent recreational water illnesses due to exposure to sewage spill events, people should:
- Avoid contact with water in the advisory area and observe advisory signage posted at waterbody access points.
- Avoid any area of the water body where water has 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.
- Rinse or wash items that come into contact with the water, including clothing, fishing gear, life vests, ropes and paddles.
- Seek medical care and notify your practitioner of the waterbody exposure if you experience adverse health effects after contact with the waterbody.
- When harvesting fish, discard skin, organs, cook the meat to proper temperature, and clean cutting boards and cutting implements with warm soapy water.
For more information on recreational water safety, visit www.SwimHealthyVA.com.
January 6, 2025
Media Contact: Bryan Hooten, 804-807-1727, bryan.hooten@vdh.virginia.gov
Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Provide Guidance for City of Richmond Boil Water Advisory
RICHMOND, Va. – Effective Monday, January 6, the City of Richmond, in partnership with the Virginia Department of Health, has issued a Boil Water Advisory immediately and until further notice for residents served by the City of Richmond’s water system. This includes all residents in the city of Richmond. It is urgent that impacted residents take conservation steps immediately and boil water before consuming it.
All residents of Richmond and commercial businesses on city water must follow the guidance of boiling all water until the Boil Water Advisory is lifted. Bring water to a rolling boil for at least a minute and then let it cool before using.
This advisory comes after a winter weather storm-related loss of power today impacted the City of Richmond’s water reservoir system, causing the system to temporarily malfunction. Capacity restoration services are currently underway.
Below is a checklist for safe water use during this time:
- Do not drink tap water during this boil water alert.
- Do not drink from water fountains in parks, public or private buildings that receive water from the City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities.
- Do not use ice made from water today.
- Discard the ice and sanitize the ice machine and/or ice trays. Likewise, do not use water or dispensed directly from a refrigerator.
- Do not use tap water to make drinks, juices, or fountain soft drinks.
- Do not wash your dishes using tap water – use boiled water or use paper plates for the next few days.
- Do not wash your fruits and vegetables with tap water – use boiled or bottled water.
- Do not brush your teeth with tap water — use boiled or bottled water.
- Do not cook with tap water, unless your food will be boiled vigorously for three minutes.
The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts strongly advise that people take the following steps to prevent illness from contaminated water:
- Cover any scratches, cuts, or open wounds when taking a shower.
- When washing dishes using boiled water, let the water cool until hands can comfortably be inserted and immerse dishes, then let them air dry. Alternately, bottled water can be used, or use one tablespoon of unscented bleach per gallon of clean water (no detergents). Do not use your dishwasher to wash dishes, as it uses the same public water system. “Single-use” items (paper plates, etc.) are an option.
- Do not rely on household filters that are purchased over the counter as they will not remove bacteria from the water. Most filters use carbon, and those filters do a good job of taking out taste and odors but do not take out other contaminants.
Please visit the City of Richmond website for updated information on the Boil Water Advisory.
February 28, 2023
Media Contact: Allison Phillips, Population Health Manager, Cumberland Plateau Health District, VDH allison.phillips@vdh.virginia.gov
VDH Issues Recreational Water Advisory in Portion of Levisa River
(LEBANON, Va.) The Virginia Department of Health’s Cumberland Plateau Health District recommends that people and pets avoid contact with a portion of the Levisa River in Buchanan County due to an ongoing sewage overflow from sewer mains damaged by recent flooding. Activities to repair the sewer mains are ongoing, weather permitting.
The health advisory extends along the Levisa River from Oakwood downstream to the Kentucky state line in Buchanan County. The length of the affected waterway is approximately 26 miles.
Swallowing contaminated water can cause gastrointestinal illnesses, with vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain or fever. Contact with contaminated water also can cause infections of the ears, nose, throat and skin. For your safety, humans and pets should avoid contact with the affected portions of the Levisa River until the sewer mains have been repaired and the advisory is lifted.
To prevent recreational water illnesses due to exposure to sewage release events, people should:
- Avoid contact with the waterbodies noted above and observe advisory signage posted at waterbody access points.
- Avoid any area of the waterbody 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 waterbody exposure if you experience adverse health effects after contact with the waterbody.
For more information on recreational water safety, call 276-935-4591 or see “Safely Enjoy Virginia’s Natural Waters” at www.SwimHealthyVA.com.
