Tag: sewage spill

VDH Issues Recreational Water Advisory for the Potomac River

February 13, 2026
Media Contact: Brookie Crawford, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov

VDH Issues Recreational Water Advisory for the Potomac River
Virginia Residents Advised to Avoid Contact with Contaminated Water

RICHMOND, Va. – Due to reports of sewage spills in the Potomac 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 to avoid recreational water activities in the Potomac River, such as swimming, wading, tubing, white-water canoeing or kayaking, where full-body submersion is more likely to occur.

The advisory is being issued out of an abundance of caution due to a sewage spill in the Potomac River that occurred January 19, and subsequent reports of a sewage discharge February 7. The timeline for the repair is estimated to be four to six weeks.  The advisory area extends for 72.5 miles from the American Legion Memorial Bridge (I-495) in Fairfax County to the Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge (Route 301) in King George County.

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

For updates on the repair status, visit DC Water. For updates on Virginia impacts and to find links to the Maryland and DC agencies responding to this incident, please visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/news/potomac-sewage-spill/.

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 or crabs, 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.

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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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VDH Rescinds Health Advisory due to Sewage Release in Area of Goldman Creek

July 7, 2023
Media Contact: Brenden Rivenbark, (804) 382-9391

VDH Rescinds Health Advisory due to Sewage Release in Area of Goldman Creek
Testing shows recreational swimming areas are at acceptable bacterial levels

SALUDA, Va. — The Goldman Creek, Rosier Creek and the Potomac waterfront of Colonial Beach health advisory issued early on July 7 is no longer in effect. Results of water testing collected on July 6 at six sites in Goldman Creek/Rosier Creek along Bluffs Point to Colonial Beach indicated acceptable levels for recreational swimming to resume.

The advisory was issued to alert the public to the approximate 1.14 million gallons of sewage, which was released overnight between July 3 and July 4, from the Town of Colonial Beach wastewater treatment plant near Goldman Creek and the 205 bridge.

The water testing occurred in partnership between the Town of Colonial Beach, Department of Environmental Quality, and the Department of Health on July 6, 2023 from the area of Goldman/Rosier Creek and the nearby beaches of Colonial Beach were within acceptable bacteria limits for swimming and water recreation.

As a result, the Town of Colonial Beach has rescinded its closure of town beaches.

The Virginia Department of Health Division of Shellfish Safety and Waterborne Hazards issued an emergency shellfish closure for a portion of Rosier Creek.

The Virginia Department of Health and Department of Environmental Quality will continue to collaborate with the Maryland Department of Health to monitor their advisories and ensure consistent public communication about this developing situation.

As always, VDH encourages normal precautions when encountering natural waters. Visit www.SwimHealthyVa.com for ways to stay safe while recreating in natural waterbodies.

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VDH Rescinds Health Advisory due to Sewage Release in Area of Goldman Creek

July 7, 2023
Media Contact:  Brenden Rivenbark, (804) 382-9391

VDH Rescinds Health Advisory due to Sewage Release in Area of Goldman Creek
Testing shows recreational swimming areas are at acceptable bacterial levels

SALUDA, Va. — The Goldman Creek, Rosier Creek and the Potomac waterfront of Colonial Beach health advisory issued early on July 7 is no longer in effect. Results of water testing collected on July 6 at six sites in Goldman Creek/Rosier Creek along Bluffs Point to Colonial Beach indicated acceptable levels for recreational swimming to resume.

The advisory was issued to alert the public to the approximate 1.14 million gallons of sewage, which was released overnight between July 3 and July 4, from the Town of Colonial Beach wastewater treatment plant near Goldman Creek and the 205 bridge.

The water testing occurred in partnership between the Town of Colonial Beach, Department of Environmental Quality, and the Department of Health on July 6, 2023 from the area of Goldman/Rosier Creek and the nearby beaches of Colonial Beach were within acceptable bacteria limits for swimming and water recreation.

As a result, the Town of Colonial Beach has rescinded its closure of Town beaches.

The Virginia Department of Health Division of Shellfish Safety and Waterborne Hazards issued an emergency shellfish closure for a portion of Rosier Creek.

The Virginia Department of Health and Department of Environmental Quality will continue to collaborate with the Maryland Department of Health to monitor their advisories and ensure consistent public communication about this developing situation.

As always, VDH encourages normal precautions when encountering natural waters. Visit www.SwimHealthyVa.com for ways to stay safe while recreating in natural waterbodies.

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VDH Issues Health Advisory due to Sewage Release in Area of Goldman Creek

July 7, 2023
Media Contact: Brenden Rivenbark (804)382-9391

VDH Issues Health Advisory due to Sewage Release in Area of Goldman Creek
Active testing is currently underway in affected areas

SALUDA, Va. — Goldman Creek, Rosier Creek and the Potomac Waterfront of Colonial Beach are under a health advisory for recreational use until further notice due to a sewage release. Overnight between July 3 and July 4, approximately 1.14 million gallons of sewage was spilled from the Town of Colonial Beach wastewater treatment plant near Goldman Creek and the 205 bridge.

The Virginia Department of Health Division of Shellfish Safety and Waterborne Hazards has issued an emergency shellfish closure for a portion of Rosier Creek. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has also visited the site of the spill.

The Maryland Department of Health has issued a public health alert for waters of the Potomac related to this spill and the Town of Colonial Beach has issued a Beach and Waterway Closure Alert.

The Three Rivers Health District and Division of Shellfish Safety and Waterborne Hazards notes that a majority of the condemned shellfish areas in the Rosier and Goldman Creeks were condemned previously due to matters unrelated to the July 3rd spill. The Virginia Department of Health, Department of Environmental Quality, Maryland Department of Health, and Town of Colonial Beach will continue to monitor this incident to assess any hazard to public health and closures will be continuously evaluated.

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

  • Avoid contact with any area of the waterbody of Goldman Creek, Rosier Creek and their opening to the Potomac River at Colonial Beach.
  • If you come in contact with the waterbody, wash skin with soap and water.
  • If you experience symptoms of illness after contact with the waterbody, seek medical care and notify your practitioner of the waterbody exposure.

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

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