The City of Richmond’s Final Plan to improve the health of the James River was approved by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) in August 2024. The James River ranks high as one of the state’s greatest natural resources. Less than a half century ago, the river was not fit for human use. With the long and sustaining work of the City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities (DPU) and its many partners, the James River has transformed from one of the most polluted in the country to one of the most improved and beloved. Today, the James River contributes greatly to the recreational and economic development needs of the region.

In the 1800s, parts of Richmond’s sewer system were designed as a combined sewer system (CSS). These pipes were made to transport both wastewater and stormwater. Today, more than one hundred fifty years later, these pipes are still in use. As a result, the CSS can become overwhelmed during wet weather conditions and exceed capacity for treatment, with overflow going into the waterways – including the James River. Richmond’s combined sewer system is the largest in Virginia with a drainage area of 19 square miles with 25 outfalls.

Since 1970, Richmond and the Commonwealth of Virginia have invested more than $780 million for projects to address the CSS and provide cleaner water for our community. These efforts have resulted in the reduction of over 3 billion gallons of combined sewer overflow (CSO) per year but more funding is needed to capture, convey and treat up to 5 billion gallons per year – which represents more than 90% of stormwater.

In 2020, the Virginia General Assembly passed Senate Bill 1064, which required the City to develop Interim and Final Plans, which would further improve water quality in the James River.  DEQ and the City then amended the 2005 Special Order by Consent to incorporate Senate Bill 1064.

• Interim Plan – Submitted on time and includes 10 projects to reduce 182 million gallons of CSO volume per year at a cost of $33.3 million.  These projects were approved by DEQ for completion of construction and related activities due by July 1, 2027.

• Final Plan– Re-evaluate the remaining 2005 Special Order by Consent projects and identify system-wide improvements to incorporate Senate Bill 1064.  According to DEQ, Richmond made a timely submission of the Final Plan by July 1, 2024.  After reviewing Richmond’s Final Plan, DEQ has determined the plan complies with requirements identified in the 2005 Order, 2020 Amendment and 2020 CSO Law. Completion of construction and related activities will be July 1, 2035.

Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney remarks that, “The City is capturing efficiencies to ensure there is a significant and clear benefit to the environment and the James River. However, we have to maintain the balance of investing in our aging infrastructure and making improvements to City services while being cognizant of affordability issues. Otherwise, City of Richmond will require markedly higher utility rates and an even greater disparity between Richmond and Virginia’s other CSO communities. In short, the city’s most vulnerable residents will not be able to afford it.”

DPU Senior Director April Bingham adds that, “The ability to significantly reduce the cost of the Final Plan from $1.3 billion to $650 million results from creative engineering efforts and design.” Director Bingham appreciates the partnership with the Commonwealth as the City focuses on the timeline, the cost, and the advocacy. She is especially thankful for the collaborative process with DEQ ahead of the Final Plan submission as well as the partnership of Richmond City Council through the adoption of Resolution No. 2022-R025.

DPU is committed to the City of Richmond’s goal of “Cleaner Water Faster”.  With the latest approvals from DEQ, the goal of controlling combined sewer overflow discharges into the James River by 2035 can become a reality through increased financial support.