City of Richmond's Combined Sewer Overflow Program
RVAH20 FLOW will implement 14 combined sewer system (CSS) projects to capture and treat combined sewage that currently pollute the James River from the City’s 25 combined sewer outfalls. These outfalls are part of a legacy combined sewer system dating back to the 1800s that carries both sewage and rainwater through a single piping system. When it rains, this legacy system is often overwhelmed, causing overflows to the James River.
The City of Richmond is launching RVAH20 FLOW, For the Love of Our Waterways, to address the 2020 Virginia law to achieve healthier waterways by July 1, 2035.
PROGRAM COST & SCHEDULE
- The current program cost and schedule are subject to change based on availability of grant funding.
- The City will invest $10 million in green infrastructure projects to reduce runoff volume that enters the CSS.
BACKGROUND
Since 1970, the City and the Commonwealth of Virginia have invested more than $780 million (adjusted to today’s dollars) on projects that have reduced overflow volumes by approximately 80% on an annual average basis.
Senate Bill 1064, approved by the Virginia General Assembly in 2020 (Acts of Assembly Chapter 634), amended the City’s Consent Order to require the City to undertake additional projects, identified in an Interim Plan and Final Plan, to be completed by 2035. The City remains steadfast in its commitment to meeting the obligations established in the Consent Order. In 2022, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2022-R025 expressing its support for prioritizing improvements to the CSS.
Interim Plan Implementation Status
The Interim Plan identified ten projects that will reduce CSO volume by approximately 180 million gallons on average per year. These projects are on track to be complete by July 1, 2027 to comply with the City’s Consent Order deadlines.
Final Plan Implementation Status
The Final Plan report was approved by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality on August 8, 2024. This plan identified four projects that will exceed the performance requirements of the City’s 2005 Consent Order and further assist the City in meeting the 2010 James River Bacteria TMDL for the Gillies Creek and Almond Creek tributaries.
WATERSHED
The James River's health impacts surrounding waterways, emphasizing the need for ongoing stewardship for a sustainable future.
WATER QUALITY
The health of the river directly impacts the overall water quality of Chesapeake Bay, highlighting the importance of ongoing stewardship.
RECREATION
Each year, more than 2 million people visit the parks along the James River providing rafting, paddling, swimming, and fishing for all.