As Virginia legislators take an unexpected break, right at the start of the 2025 session, the Richmond water crisis that is delaying their work has given new urgency to an issue — drinking water and water policy — that has been simmering for years.
In Richmond, when the water system failed after Monday’s winter storm cut power to the water treatment plant, the clean water in the city’s 148-year-old reservoir quickly ran low.
There wasn’t enough pressure in the Department of Public Utilities’ pipes to deliver water to homes, businesses — and the state Capitol…