The Virginia Department of Health has issued a recreational water advisory for a section of the James River following a sewage leak reported on July 16. The affected area stretches from the Manchester Bridge (9th Street) in Richmond to Osborne Landing in Henrico County.

Officials are advising against recreational activities such as swimming, wading, tubing and whitewater kayaking where water submersion is likely. However, activities like boating, fishing, and canoeing may continue with caution to avoid water contact.

The City of Richmond’s Department of Public Utilities assures residents that drinking water remains unaffected, as the city’s water source is upstream from the impacted site.

The advisory comes after a leak was discovered in a 50-year-old sewage pipe along the Pipeline Trail. City crews, working with the Department of Environmental Quality, confirmed high bacteria levels through testing. The cause was traced to offline bypass pumps, which have since been reactivated to minimize sewage release.

Immediate repairs are underway, including the installation of inflatable plugs and a temporary patch on the damaged 42-inch pipe, according to a press release from the city. Long-term solutions are being developed, considering the pipe’s challenging location suspended above the river.

“When bacteria contamination makes the river unsafe for recreation, it is critical that the public and river-based businesses have timely information,” said Tom Dunlap, James Riverkeeper for the James River Association. “We appreciate VDH and Richmond DPU issuing their advisory and press release to keep river users safe. We also encourage anyone interested in safe use of the James River to utilize our James River Watch website for weekly updates during the summer.”

Affected public access points include Great Shiplock Park, Chapel Island, Dock Street Park, Wharf Street/Intermediate Terminal, Ancarrow’s Landing,City officials state that this swift response should prevent further river contamination. They are working on both temporary and permanent solutions, with the long-term fix requiring extensive engineering due to the pipe’s difficult access.

The advisory will remain in effect until further notice. Residents are encouraged to stay informed through official city channels for updates on the situation and when normal river activities can safely resume.