MONDAY, JAN. 6

7:30 A.M.

Richmond’s water treatment plant experiences a power outage. This automatically triggers a secondary power system — but the transfer switch didn’t work.

A technician is called in to check out the problem. That person tries to manually connect to the secondary power system.

Yet again, it did not reconnect, which led to water valves getting stuck. This then triggers a separate backup battery that unknowingly and unfortunately had a limited life.

At this point, with the valves stuck, the power system failure, and the dead battery, it’s a recipe for disaster. The flooding starts, leading to further damage.

9:39 A.M.

Basic power is restored - but the damage has been done. In an effort to conserve water for Richmond city residents, Henrico and Chesterfield counties shut off its sources from the plant.

Crews with DPU scramble to get the IT system back online to keep water flowing from the plant.

City officials notice issues with water levels and water pressure.

The first rumblings of a water crisis begin. 12 On Your Side gets a tip and confirms the outage with city officials, first breaking the story in a News App alert at 3:59 p.m.

4:26 P.M.

Richmond issues a boil water advisory effective immediately. Residents are urged to conserve water, but many already don’t have water to boil or conserve.

5:15 P.M.

At a news conference Mayor Avula addresses the outage and says it could be a few hours before water pressure returns.

Numerous restaurants shut down and residents rush to stores and wipe out bottled water supply.

JUST BEFORE 9 P.M.

A city spokesperson cancels a follow-up press conference that was expected to bring further updates.

AROUND 11 P.M.

Water plant personnel continue to work on bringing the system back online and warns of continued water issues. Mayor Avula says he is spending the night at the plant as crews work around the clock.

TUESDAY 8:15 A.M.

Mayor Avula says at a press conference that only two pumps are back up and running. Crews were still working to get the pumps and filters all working. Water distribution events were also announced.

TUESDAY, JAN. 7

AROUND 9 A.M.

Henrico residents begin experience low-to-no water pressure due to the rerouting of water sources.

Customers in the Sandston and White Oak areas are the most impacted.

This is when the complaints begin to come in about issues at Richmond International Airport.

Water production is restored, but the city says water pressure will take at least several hours to build up before it can be distributed through the network.

6:15 P.M.

Mayor Avula says crews hit another snag during the restoration process. An electric panel at the facility failed.

Initially, it was thought that it would not impact the restoration process. However, it further extends the timeline.

7:15 P.M.

The General Assembly decides it will gavel in and out, postponing its 2025 session until the following Monday.

10 P.M.

The city releases an update that only one of four pumps is functioning and six of 12 filters are operating.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 8

9:30 A.M.

Mayor Avula says all pumps are functioning and 14 filters are working. The reservoir is now beginning to fill at 7 feet.

Residents were told a return to partial pressure would start soon. People should see a return to partial pressure.

Water pressure returns for many residents in Richmond.

Richmond Public Schools announces that school is closed for the rest of the week.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin says the National Guard has been deployed to help with restoration efforts. He calls for an after-action report and says fixing the issue should the top of mind for lawmakers.

3:30 P.M.

Henrico announces a Boil Water Advisory effective immediately as water issues continue in the eastern part of the county.

4:30 P.M.

Water issues spread to Hanover County, which announced a boil water advisory for residents east of I-95.

In Richmond, Mayor Avula says they’ve tested the generators and battery backups and increased staffing to resolve the issue.

More pumps and filters are in operation, with 69 million gallons a day being pumped through the system. Water is not yet up to full pressure to allow for testing.

6 P.M.

Water issues expand into eastern Goochland, which issues a boil water advisory.

THURSDAY, JAN. 9

Richmond says full water pressure is restored and the first test has been completed and officials are waiting for results. There are 16 hours between tests.

Avulapromises there will be a report made to the public after all of this sharing the details of what happened.

Water pressure slowly returns to areas impacted in Hanover and Henrico counties.

The Virginia Department of Health provides guidelines for some businesses to reopen while many remain closed.

FRIDAY, JAN. 10

10 A.M.

Mayor Avula says the first testing results should be in by 3 p.m. A second round of testing is already underway.

AROUND 3:30 P.M.

Both Hanover County and the city of Richmond passed initial water quality tests.

THROUGH THE WEEKEND

Boil water advisories may be lifted throughout the area.