HOPEWELL, Va. — Hopewell City Council held a special meeting Thursday to discuss the future of its wastewater treatment plant following a recent malfunction that released nearly 1 million gallons of sewage into the James River.
City officials attributed the major sewage leak to faulty wiring, but a comprehensive assessment revealed much deeper issues at the facility.
The council reviewed a 2023 Dewberry assessment that identified more than 40 necessary projects, studies, and improvements needed for the plant to function properly. The report highlighted multiple systems operating at or beyond their expected lifespan…