Cleaner river ahead: City approves plan to address sewer overflow

Jack Glagola, News Editor

Ellie Waltman, Contributing Writer

The James River might just get cleaner — the City of Richmond announced on Aug. 14 that a project to fix the combined sewer and stormwater overflow is going forward, according to a press release.

Richmond’s 150-year-old sewer system is a combined system, which means the pipes carry both wastewater and stormwater. When heavy rains or storms come, the sewer overflows and sends wastewater laden with bacteria like E. coli into the river, making it unsafe to swim in for some time afterward, according to CBS 6.

The city has worked to clean up the river dramatically since 1970, the press release from the City of Richmond stated. Over three billion gallons of overflow water are treated now, and the city aims to treat 90% of all stormwater — amounting to five billion gallons.

The Commonwealth Times reached out to the Department of Public Utilities via email and phone but received no response.

Paul Bukaveckas, an environmental ecology professor at VCU, explained the risk the waste poses.

“These days, the main issue at hand is not the ecosystem but the human health issues caused by possible pathogenic bacteria being released into the water that we swim and kayak in,” Bukaveckas said.

Organic matter, such as human waste, is decomposed by water which lowers the water’s oxygen level, and the sewer system was not originally designed to send the water to a treatment plant, according to Bukaveckas.

“The issue of low oxygen levels has been solved mainly due to our water treatment plants,” Bukaveckas said.

Melany Chinchilla, a student at VCU, said people have told her not to go into the river because of recent E. coli cases.

“If the city pushed more funding towards keeping the river clean, it would solve the problem,” Chinchilla said.

Spencer Chapman, a third-year art communication student, said she keeps a close eye on the river forecasts and the state of the James River.

“I spend a fair amount of time at the river,” Chapman said. “It’s definitely been a focal point in the news this summer. It’s concerning seeing as most of our recreation in this city is brought in because of our rivers. It’s depressing knowing we haven’t been able to swim in them safely most of the time.”