It’s been roughly six days since the Greater Richmond region has had potable water, and officials in the city have given the all clear to start using tap water without boiling it.
"Following the results of two rounds of clean laboratory tests, the City’s water supply is confirmed safe for drinking. The Boil Water Advisories for Hanover, Henrico, and Goochland counties have also been lifted," the city said in a statement.
So, what happens next? City officials and the Virginia Department of Health have shared information on how to flush potentially unsafe water out of pipes following the advisory being lifted.
Flushing pipes
Residents should turn on the hot and cold water taps of all faucets in their homes and run the water for at least 10 minutes. If the home has more than one floor, start with the faucets on the top floor.
If you haven’t turned your water on to flush the system because you’ve been conserving water, don’t be surprised if the water sputters when it first comes out of the tap. That’s because there’s air in the lines. The best way to fix that is to turn the tap on slowly and wait until the sputtering stops.
Water that comes out might be discolored at first, too — which is totally normal.
It’s also important to remember that flushing all faucets means every single faucet. If you’ve got an outdoor connection, you should run that as well.
Water dispensers, other appliances
Does your refrigerator have a built-in water dispenser? Residents should flush the refrigerator's water for at least five minutes and then replace the filter.
Water softeners and filter units should also be cleaned after a boil water advisory. It’s best to check the owner’s manual for directions on how to clean those.
Test cycles should also be run on appliances that use water, like dishwashers and washing machines.
Ice makers
If your refrigerator has an automatic ice maker, throw out all of the ice.
Don’t use the first batch of ice once it starts being made again. Toss it in the sink or pitch it into the yard and clean the ice maker container thoroughly. Replacing that filter is also recommended.
What’s that smell?
If you notice that there’s a strong smell coming from your water, don’t be alarmed. VDH said the smell is “probably chlorine,” because water systems will increase chlorine levels to disinfect the system.
Where else can you get information?
- City of Richmond
- Henrico County
- Chesterfield County
- Hanover County
- Virginia Department of Transportation
