RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — After a report was filed with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) about a system malfunction that allowed nearly 2 million gallons of untreated storm and wastewater to enter the James River, the Richmond Department of Public Utilities said there was no “anticipated environmental impact.”
According to the report, during rainfall on May 25, the city’s wastewater treatment plant was transferring to its wet weather system to release an overflow of stormwater, which is mixed with sewage due to the city’s combined sewer system. But for 80 minutes, the report said, the UV system could not be turned on and 1.9 million gallons flowed into the James without being disinfected.
Health officials said natural bodies of water should be avoided for at least three days every time it rains, regardless of outflows like this…