The Virginia Department of Health has issued a recreational water advisory for the James River that extends from Robious Landing Park in Chesterfield County to include all of Belle Isle.
For the safety of people and pets, VDH advises forgoing recreational water activities, such as swimming, tubing and whitewater kayaking, until the advisory is lifted.
This comes after a sewer main ruptured in Goochland County, releasing around 300,000 gallons of raw, undiluted sewage into Tuckahoe Creek, a tributary of the James River. Sewage is no longer spilling into the waterway.
Boating, fishing and canoeing may continue with proper caution to avoid contact with the water.
VDH has observed no evidence of impacts to drinking water at this time. The Department of Environmental Quality is monitoring bacteria levels in the river. Once they drop to safe levels, the advisory will be lifted.
