Talking Points for Hopewell, VA Fuel Spill
March 3, 2015, 7 pm
Virginia American Water:
What happened?
Early Tuesday morning, Virginia American Water issued a mandatory
conservation notice for customers in the Hopewell area to reduce water
consumption due to a fuel spill in the Appomattox River, which resulted
in the shutdown of the company’s water treatment plant at approximately
12:30 a.m. It’s very important for customers to conserve water as much
as possible to make the remaining supplies last as long as possible.
This situation affects all of the approximately 9,400 customers who
receive drinking water from the treatment plant. Virginia American Water
is working closely with the Virginia Department of Environmental
Quality, Virginia Department of Health and a multi-agency response team
to resolve the issue and restore water service as quickly as possible.
When will the system run out of water? When will it be restored?
Some customers are experiencing low pressure as storage tank levels
decrease, resulting from the shutdown of the water treatment plant early
Tuesday morning. The plant has been restarted now that water samples
have confirmed that the fuel does not exist near the treatment plant
intake. We expect water service will be restored to customers starting
later tonight.
How does this affect my tap water?
Sampling results have been coming back below detectable levels for
diesel, and water production has resumed at the plant. At this time, no
boil water advisory is being issued. However in case we experience a
loss of pressure in the distribution system, a boil water advisory would
be required by the VA Department of Health. You will be notified if a
boil water notice is necessary.
The City of Hopewell website posted a boil water advisory has been
issued, is that true?
No. There is NO boil water advisory for any Hopewell customers at this
time. We have asked city officials to remove the erroneous posting. If a
boil water advisory is necessary, we will notify the affected customers.
Is it safe for customers to drink the tap water?
Yes, our customers’ drinking water quality meets all regulatory
standards, because plant operators shut down the plant before any fuel
entered the treatment process. The plant will remain shutdown until the
spill is cleaned up, and the VA Department of Health determines that
it’s safe to restart the plant.
Where can we get water for drinking, cooking, sanitation, etc. until
the problem is corrected?
Bottled water and bulk water distribution sites have been established.
Bottled water is available at the Hopewell High School at 400 South Mesa
Drive. After 7 p.m., tankers for bulk water will be stationed at the
Carter G Woodson Middle School at 1000 Winston Churchill Drive.
Residents will be limited to one case of bottled water per carload at
the high school. At the middle school, residents will be limited to 10
gallons of bulk water and are asked to provide their own containers.
Virginia American Water has procured several truckloads of bottled and
bulk water, and more will be arriving into the evening.
For more information, you can call the City Public Information Office at
804-446-0282. Please do not call 911
What caused the fuel to enter the river?
The fuel apparently originated from a pumping station located at the
water treatment plant, however the cause of the fuel spill is under
investigation.
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March 3, 2015, 7 pm
Virginia American Water:
What happened?
Early Tuesday morning, Virginia American Water issued a mandatory conservation notice for customers in the Hopewell area to reduce water consumption due to a fuel spill in the Appomattox River, which resulted in the shutdown of the company’s water treatment plant at approximately 12:30 a.m. It’s very important for customers to conserve water as much as possible to make the remaining supplies last as long as possible.
This situation affects all of the approximately 9,400 customers who receive drinking water from the treatment plant. Virginia American Water is working closely with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Virginia Department of Health and a multi-agency response team to resolve the issue and restore water service as quickly as possible.
When will the system run out of water? When will it be restored?
Some customers are experiencing low pressure as storage tank levels decrease, resulting from the shutdown of the water treatment plant early Tuesday morning. The plant has been restarted now that water samples have confirmed that the fuel does not exist near the treatment plant intake. We expect water service will be restored to customers starting later tonight.
How does this affect my tap water?
Sampling results have been coming back below detectable levels for diesel, and water production has resumed at the plant. At this time, no boil water advisory is being issued. However in case we experience a loss of pressure in the distribution system, a boil water advisory would be required by the VA Department of Health. You will be notified if a boil water notice is necessary.
The City of Hopewell website posted a boil water advisory has been issued, is that true?
No. There is NO boil water advisory for any Hopewell customers at this time. We have asked city officials to remove the erroneous posting. If a boil water advisory is necessary, we will notify the affected customers.
Is it safe for customers to drink the tap water?
Yes, our customers’ drinking water quality meets all regulatory standards, because plant operators shut down the plant before any fuel entered the treatment process. The plant will remain shutdown until the spill is cleaned up, and the VA Department of Health determines that it’s safe to restart the plant.
Where can we get water for drinking, cooking, sanitation, etc. until the problem is corrected?
Bottled water and bulk water distribution sites have been established. Bottled water is available at the Hopewell High School at 400 South Mesa Drive. After 7 p.m., tankers for bulk water will be stationed at the Carter G Woodson Middle School at 1000 Winston Churchill Drive. Residents will be limited to one case of bottled water per carload at the high school. At the middle school, residents will be limited to 10 gallons of bulk water and are asked to provide their own containers.
Virginia American Water has procured several truckloads of bottled and bulk water, and more will be arriving into the evening.
For more information, you can call the City Public Information Office at 804-446-0282. Please do not call 911
What caused the fuel to enter the river?
The fuel apparently originated from a pumping station located at the water treatment plant, however the cause of the fuel spill is under investigation.