On the fourteenth day of May, in the Year of our Lord, 1607, the very first permanent British colonial settlement in North America was established. Jamestown, which served as a spearhead for British colonial presence in Virginia, was plagued with a variety of challenges which contributed to high mortality rates. The brackish, saline water on which Jamestown was founded carried debilitating diseases which lit through the camp like a torch. Illnesses such as typhoid fever and dysentery came in epidemics, directly contributing to the deaths of over 30% of colonists in early Virginia. Realizing the severity of the issues faced, and the need for clean water, Jamestown was eventually abandoned, and its inhabitants relocated in 1624.

As Virginia continued to develop, many of its settlements faced similar challenges to those which perpetually plagued Jamestown. Richmond, founded in 1737 by William Byrd II, was placed alongside the James River in an attempt to guarantee access to potable water. However, the increasing dependence on the James River as a water source would lead to Richmond later facing critical repercussions, as seen in later instances when the river became contaminated. Additionally this placement later directly contributed to future floodings, having negative impacts on infrastructure and local water supplies.

In the 18th century, Richmond primarily relied on wells to access drinking water. However, by the dawn of the new century, issues with these wells were beginning to grow increasingly apparent. Primarily, these wells were relatively shallow, and were thus vulnerable to various contaminants, such as waste or industrial pollutants. Furthermore, as contemporary issues continued to strike the city, many of these wells grew inaccessible in moments of need. As the city developed, these issues became increasingly apparent until the crisis came to a head in 1830, when city officials decided to transition towards drawing fresh water from the James River. Recognizing the persistent issues with the quality of water found in the James River, the city invested in America’s first slow sand filtration plant. This device was fairly successful, and highlighted the benefits of collaboration between industrialization and the maintenance of a consistent water supply.

However, industrialization has historically been at odds with efforts to preserve a dependable water supply for the general populace. For example, in 1881, Richmond was facing water shortages, prompting the mayor to direct the water flowing in a nearby canal into the James River, feeding the city’s water-works. This prompted the superintendent of a nearby railroad company, who presumably relied on this canal for energy, to order the forces under his jurisdiction to close off the gates which feed the water from the canal to the river. This then provoked the Chief of Police to intercept these forces and prevent them from interfering with the gate. Documented instances such as these highlight the conflicting interests between industrial companies and water distribution services.

This tension between industrialization and efforts to preserve clean water supplies was further exacerbated in the 1970s, when a plant owned by Allied Chemical in Hopewell, Virginia, began to dispose of chemical waste affiliated with the production of the insecticide Kepone into the James River. A number of workers fell ill, which prompted further investigations, ultimately revealing the illegal actions of the plant in 1975. Because of this company’s failure to properly dispose of chemical waste, severe damage was done to constituent ecosystems in addition to hazards faced by the general public. As a result of the alarming presence of Kepone chemicals in the James River, fishing bans were instated, lasting well into the 1980s. This historical event underlined the danger of industrial negligence in the fight to protect the quality of surrounding water sources, and the need for increased regulation. This was swiftly realized in various subsequent legislation, such as the Toxic Control Substances Act of 1976, which allowed for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate the production, distribution, and disposal of chemicals.

The EPA has since continuously monitored the progress of Richmond’s water systems. A report from the agency in 2022 found rusty and leaky pipes on water tanks in addition to various chemical leaks within the water systems. During the investigation, it was revealed that various parts of the water infrastructure were built as early as 1924 and have not been updated since, highlighting the need for progress. This report serves as a reminder of the critical importance for continued investments in aquatic infrastructure.

Concerns about Richmond’s water systems being out of date actualized on Monday, January 6th, 2025, when a blizzard took power out in many regions of Virginia, leaving Richmond’s water treatment plant without electricity. The plant consequently flooded, and the absence of power left pumps nonfunctioning, which in turn lowered the water pressure in pipes. This was particularly dangerous because high water pressure typically prevents contaminants from entering the system. As there was less water in these pipes, contaminants in the form of bacteria or chemicals now had the opportunity to enter the distribution system, resulting in the boil water advisory issued in Richmond and its surrounding counties.

“The water crisis should never have happened and was completely avoidable,” reflects an official from the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Drinking Water. The backup battery and the redundant system for power generation both failed, further emphasizing the need for continuous investment into modern and reliable utility infrastructure. Preparation could have included “verifying critical equipment was functional before the storm event, ensuring sufficient staffing was physically present at the [water treatment plant] in the event of a power outage, and making sure staff present at the WTP during the storm event had appropriate training to effectively respond to the temporary power outage,” the department continued. Furthermore, contamination would not have even been a concern if the pipes had been up to date, meaning any cracks and potential leaks were fixed.

In light of these recent failures, this contemporary water crisis serves as a symbol of the consequences of inadequate aquatic infrastructure. Ultimately, it is imperative that Richmond’s water systems are continuously monitored and repaired. Keeping these facilities up to date ensures the protection of public health whilst also proactively preventing future crises. While updates may be costly, the preservation of a clean water supply for all is a priceless endeavor.

Information retrieved from Virginia Museum of History & Culture, The Richmonder, WTVR.com, ScienceDirect.com, Britannica, and The New York Times.