Tag: James River

Crater Health District Lifts Recreational Advisory for Gravelly Run and James River

July 18, 2025
Media Contact: Brookie Crawford, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov

Crater Health District Lifts Recreational Advisory for Gravelly Run and James River
Public Can Resume All Recreational Activities

 

 HOPEWELL, Va. – Effective immediately, Crater Health District is lifting the recreational advisory for Gravelly Run and sections of the James River from the Old City Point Waterfront Park in Hopewell downstream to the Berkley due to a discharge of untreated sewage.

As the sewage moved down river, it diluted and degraded due to flushing, turbid water movement and increased flow resulting from rain events. With the cessation of the discharge on Saturday and the time period that has passed since the recreational advisory was issued, water quality in Gravelly Run and the James River over the extent of the advisory area, is no longer considered a public health threat as a result of the sewage discharge.

This advisory was issued out of an abundance of caution in response to an incident on July 11, during which the Hopewell Water Renewal wastewater treatment plant discharged an estimated million gallons of untreated sewage due to a power failure in a portion of the treatment plant caused by damage to electrical wiring.

The overflow was stopped at approximately 3:30 p.m. Saturday, July 12, after the plant operators set up emergency pumps and generators. The treatment plant returned to normal operations on July 16 after completing repairs to the damaged electrical wiring.

VDH has observed no evidence of impacts to drinking water at this time.

To stay safe while recreating in natural waters the public should:

  • Never swallow untreated water and don’t swim if your skin has cuts or open wounds.
  • Wash hands frequently, including after swimming and before preparing and eating food.
  • Shower or bathe after swimming to wash off possible germs and contaminants.
  • Check the water and the area around it before swimming. Avoid going in water if there is a green film on the water or if the water is cloudier than usual. Avoid swimming near storm drains or livestock.
  • Avoid swimming if you are vomiting or have diarrhea.
  • Avoid swimming in natural waterways for three days following rain events. Heavy rain picks up anything it comes in contact with, including germs from overflowing sewage, polluted storm water, and runoff from land.
  • Avoid any area of the waterbody where there is water with a foul or chemical odor, dead or dying fish, or discolored water.
  • If taking fish caught from natural waters, remove the skin from filets and dispose of viscera and internal organs. Cook filets to proper temperature and clean knives and cutting boards with soapy water. Follow posted fish consumption advisories.
  • Check with your healthcare provider before swimming in oceans, lakes, rivers, and other natural bodies of water if your body’s ability to fight germs is already affected by other health problems or medicines.

Visit www.SwimHealthyVa.com for ways to stay safe while recreating in natural waterbodies.

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Crater Health District Issues Recreational Swimming Advisory for the Gravelly Run, James River due to a Sewage Discharge

July 12, 2025
Media Contact: Brookie Crawford, Brookie.Crawford@vdh.virginia.gov

Crater Health District Issues Recreational Swimming Advisory for the Gravelly Run, James River due to a Sewage Discharge
Public Advised to Avoid Contact with Contaminated Water from Hopewell Old City Point Waterfront Park on the James River to the Berkley including all of Tar Bay

HOPEWELL, Va. – Effective immediately, the Crater Health District is issuing a recreational swimming advisory for the Gravelly Run  and sections of the James River from the Old City Point Waterfront Park in Hopewell extending downstream to the Berkley to include the entire width of the James River in this identified advisory area, emphasizing avoidance with the shoreline through the extent of the river until further notice. For the safety of people and pets, Crater Health District is advising that recreational water activities, such as swimming and wading, be avoided in this area of the waterways.

Crater Health District is issuing a recreational swimming advisory for the Gravely Run Creek and sections of the James River from the Old City Point Waterfront Park in Hopewell extending downstream to the Berkley to include the entire width of the James River in this identified advisory area.This advisory is being issued out of an abundance of caution in response to an ongoing discharge of untreated sewage from the City of Hopewell wastewater treatment plant. On July 11, around midnight, a power failure occurred which has resulted in an estimated million gallons of untreated sewage being discharged.

The Crater Health District is advising the public to avoid activities in the advisory area that will result in prolonged contact such as swimming or stand-up paddle boarding (SUPing) and prevent pets from swimming. Activities that result in limited contact such wading in the water to launch a boat, kayaking, canoeing, may continue with proper caution.

The City of Hopewell, Virginia Department of Health (VDH), and Department of Environmental Quality will continue to monitor this incident to assess any hazard to public health, and the advisory will be continuously evaluated.

VDH has observed no evidence of impacts to drinking water at this time.

To prevent recreational water illnesses due to sewage release events, people should:

  • Avoid contact with any area of the waterbody of Gravelly Run and its opening to the James River and areas north to Old City Point Waterfront Park south to Berkley Plantation to include the entire width of the James River.
  • Avoid any area of the waterbody where there is water with a foul or chemical 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.

Visit www.SwimHealthyVa.com for ways to stay safe while recreating in natural waterbodies.

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Virginia Department of Health Closes Portion of the James River to Shellfish Harvesting

February 18, 2025
Media Contact: Brookie Crawford, brookie.crawford@vdh.virignia.gov

Virginia Department of Health Closes Portion of the James River to Shellfish Harvesting

RICHMOND, Va. –The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced an emergency closure of portions of the James River to shellfish harvesting due to significant river flooding. Because floodwaters can be contaminated with pollutants such as pathogenic bacteria and viruses, shellfish taken from the area affected by the emergency closure will be unacceptable for consumption. The temporary emergency closure will be effective from February 20 to March 1, 2025.

The affected shellfish are filter-feeding bivalve mollusks including oysters and clams but not crabs or fin fish.

A map of the affected area is posted on the Division of Shellfish Safety’s home page at http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/Shellfish/.

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VDH Lifts Recreational Water Advisory for the James River

August 1, 2024
Media contacts:
For recreational water advisory: Brookie Crawford, VDH,  brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov
For sewer main repairs: Rhonda Johnson, COR DPU, rhonda.johnson@rva.gov
For water quality testing:  Irina Calos, DEQ, Irina.Calos@deq.virginia.gov

VDH Lifts Recreational Water Advisory for the James River
Public Can Resume All Recreational Activities

RICHMOND, Va. – Effective immediately, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is lifting the recreational water advisory for the James River beginning at the Manchester Bridge (9th Street) in the City of Richmond and ending at Osborne Landing in Henrico County.

The advisory was issued July 17, out of an abundance of caution due to a sewer release near the Pipeline Trail, along the James River. The situation has been actively monitored by both DEQ and VDH.

Water quality sampling results collected by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) on July 29 and July 30 indicate bacteria concentrations in the James River in the prior advisory area are at levels acceptable for all recreational water use.

Swimming or other activities in any natural body of water always pose some health risk because the water is not disinfected. Children under the age of five years, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of contracting illness from natural bodies of water.

To stay safe while recreating in natural waters the public should:

  • Never swallow untreated water and don’t swim if your skin has cuts or open wounds.
  • Wash hands frequently, including after swimming and before preparing and eating food.
  • Shower or bathe after swimming to wash off possible germs and contaminants.
  • Check the water and the area around it before swimming. Avoid going in water if there is a green film on the water or if the water is cloudier than usual. Avoid swimming near storm drains or livestock.
  • Avoid swimming if you are vomiting or have diarrhea.
  • Avoid contact swimming in natural waterways for three days following rain events. Heavy rain picks up anything it comes in contact with, including germs from overflowing sewage, polluted storm water, and runoff from land.
  • Avoid any area of the waterbody where there is water with a foul or chemical odor, dead or dying fish, or discolored water.
  • If taking fish caught from natural waters, remove the skin from filets and dispose of viscera and internal organs. Cook filets to proper temperature and clean knives and cutting boards with soapy water. Follow posted fish consumption advisories.
  • Check with your healthcare provider before swimming in oceans, lakes, rivers, and other natural bodies of water if your body’s ability to fight germs is already affected by other health problems or medicines.

For more information on recreational water safety, visit www.SwimHealthyVA.com.

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