A viral video from September 2021 captured a person swimming in high water along a main intersection in Richmond usually walked by college students.
It rained just over 1.5 inches in a two-hour span that day, according to historic weather data. The rainfall burdened the city’s combined sewer system and created a significant flooding event that canceled evening classes at nearby Virginia Commonwealth University.
Such heavy downpours are becoming more frequent in the U.S., according to the National Climate Assessment, a study presented every four years to Congress and the president.
An increase in temperatures due to climate change drives up evaporation rates, which leads to higher levels of water vapor in the atmosphere, according to the report. The result is more frequent and intense precipitation extremes.
The increased heavy precipitation burdens the older sewer systems of Virginia cities like Richmond, Alexandria and Lynchburg. These cities, over time, have sent billions of gallons of untreated wastewater into state rivers during heavy rain events when the sewer backs up. All are actively working to upgrade their sewer systems, but there are concerns there is not enough funding to fix the issues soon enough, amid increasing precipitation rates.
Richmond’s project has the biggest price tag. The General Assembly adjourned without finalizing the state budget. The unresolved budget allotts $100 million toward Richmond’s combined sewer overflow control project.
A combined sewer system moves wastewater from residential buildings and businesses, along with surface water and rainfall, through one pipe to water treatment facilities, where it is treated with chemicals to remove toxins and bacteria.The treated water then enters the James River and ultimately flows into the Chesapeake Bay, Hoffman said.
A separated sewer system has separate pipes for wastewater and stormwater.
Several parts of Richmond’s combined sewer system were re-piped starting in the 1970s, to separate sewer flow and help reduce stormwater sent to the treatment plant, according to Hoffman.
There are 25 combined sewer outfalls remaining, according to the Department of Public Utilities.
Changing climate impacts flooding
The average annual rainfall in Richmond has increased by 10% since 1970, according to Jeremy Hoffman, the chief scientist at the Science Museum of Virginia.
“This very old sewer system that we have in some places very quickly gets overwhelmed by the more intense and frequent rainfall events that we have now in a climate that’s consistent with the impacts of global warming,” Hoffman said.
The system is effective without heavy rainfall, Hoffman said. But, an inch or more of rainfall in 24 hours, depending on intensity and previous rainfall totals, can lead to sewer overflow. Hoffman pointed to the September 2021 flooding caused by under an inch, but in short time.
FLASH FLOODING: A person appears to be swimming in the floodwaters near the Village Cafe in Richmond.
No one wants to swim, frolick or kayak in raw sewage. It can also cause gastrointestinal illnesses, according to Paul Bukaveckas, a VCU professor of biology and environmental studies. Bacteria and upstream livestock waste can also cause this illness.
“Harmful bacteria are those associated with fecal waste,” Bukaveckas stated in an email.
The sewage also impacts the James River ecosystem. The most recent “State of the James River” report card gave river health an overall B-minus, and a C-plus for river restoration efforts. Those efforts include stormwater pollution controls and bacteria reduction, which is part of a massive sewer project underway.
The plan with a billion-dollar price tag
The combined sewer system currently services one third of Richmond, according to Justin Doyle, director of community conservation at the James River Association, which publishes the annual report card. Richmond has already invested an estimated $315 million over the years to improve the combined sewer system, according to Doyle.
Lawmakers passed a bill three years ago to eliminate by 2035 the combined sewage overflow from any location east of Charlottesville that dumps into the James River watershed. Last year lawmakers proposed legislation to move the timeline to 2030, but it did not pass over funding concerns. The same senator who sponsored the legislation moved the timeline up for Alexandria’s CSO project, although it has a smaller price tag.
The 2020 bill outlined several planning and construction timelines with July due dates:
Interim plan guidance by 2021
Final plan by 2024
Construction of interim plan projects starts by 2022
Construction of final plan projects by 2025
Complete interim plan construction by 2027
Identify any additional actions to meet overall timeline, by 2030
Complete construction by 2035
The legislature can also extend project deadlines in light of fund availability and other factors that could affect the project.
Richmond City officials have started work on the interim plan, which consists of 10 projects. The combined cost is over $30 million, according to Doyle.
“They’ve secured funding to do that and they’re actively working to implement those projects,” Doyle said.
Those interim projects fall under four overall strategies:
Leverage storage to reduce CSO overflow
Replace some equipment controls to help with overflow and diversion
Maximize flow sent downstream for treatment to prevent premature CSO overflows
Improve control strategies at some CSO management facilities
The investments so far have helped reduce over 2 billion gallons of sewer overflow a year, stated Rhonda Johnson, public information manager for Richmond Public Utilities. Once the interim plan project is complete, overflow will be reduced by approximately 182 million gallons.
“This work involves many things — sampling of storm events, evaluation of data and updates to models used in assessing proposed projects for water quality improvements and reduction in overflow volume and number of events,” Johnson stated in an email.
Development of the final plan to completely upgrade the sewer system and stop sewage overflow is currently on track, according to the 2022 interim report.
However, Richmond needs a much higher investment closer to $1 billion dollars to meet the 2035 deadline, according to Doyle.
That needed amount is not far off from the city’s total annual budget, Doyle said.
The final plan projects have yet to be defined, according to Johnson.
How citizens can help
There are two potential approaches to help reduce overflow, according to Shruti Syal, assistant professor of Urban and Regional Studies and Planning at VCU.
The first of these, gray infrastructure, is what the city is working to do, according to Syal. That involves replacement of combined sewer systems with separated systems, increasing wastewater treatment capacity and building wastewater storage facilities.
Green infrastructure strategy is the use of rain gardens, rain barrels and green spaces to help divert water from entering the sewer system. That takes educating citizens and stakeholders, which the city has begun to do through environmental outreach and literacy, according to Syal.
Green infrastructure can benefit communities in other ways, according to Syal. For example, planting a community garden to prevent runoff can also help address food security issues in lower income neighborhoods.
Such efforts are often siloed among organizations and individuals, without a framework to connect and streamline their efforts, according to Syal.
The Science Museum of Virginia leads projects to reduce combined sewer overflow, according to Hoffman. Recently, the museum transformed a 3-acre parking lot in front of the museum into a park, Hoffman said. That will help absorb rain water better than asphalt.
The Science Museum of Virginia has also hosted workshops to educate Richmond residents about rain barrels.
“Rain barrels are basically things that they can actually install on their own homes, to harvest stormwater and to restrict it from going directly into the sewer,” Hoffman said. “We’re not only doing things on our campus, but we’re teaching others how to do it at their own homes.”
Old engineering meets new climate change test
Heavier rainfall extremes due to climate change pose increased flooding threats, according to climate scientists.
The city’s flooding and overflow issues should begin to decrease as the city completes its upgrades, Doyle said.
The biggest obstacles to completing the projects by deadline are time and money.
State funding is uncertain at this point. Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney proposed a big funding bump in the upcoming Capital Improvement Plan toward the CSO project. Stoney proposed over $97 million, sourced from users fees and revenue bonds. The City Council is slated to vote on the budget on May 8. Richmond residents will see an increase in storm water and other utilities, the mayor said.
In the meantime, the city has worked to be more transparent about when and where sewage is entering the James River.
RVAH20 showcases the city’s progress, educates citizens and also monitors water quality.
It is recommended that people check the site and avoid swimming in the James River for several days after heavy rainfall, according to Bukaveckas.
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The Capital News Service is a flagship program of VCU’s Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture. In the program, journalism students cover news in Richmond and across Virginia and distribute their stories, photos, and other content to more than 100 newspapers, television and radio stations, and news websites.
Sea Suite Cruises RVA is thrilled to announce the launch of its latest cruise experience, Tiki Club RVA (seasuitecruises.com/tiki-club/richmond-va), officially debuting on the James River at Rocketts Landing for the summer and fall season on Saturday, June 3, 2023 — which also happens to be the start of National Fishing and Boating Week across the country. Following the success of the first season of Paddle Club RVA (seasuitecruises.com/paddle-club/richmond-va) in 2022, the team behind Sea Suite Cruises RVA is excited to bring this fun and unique recreational boating experience to residents and visitors of Richmond.
Tiki Club RVA offers a one-of-a-kind “tropical vibes” excursion on the scenic and historic James River. Step aboard the custom-built, 40-foot tiki boat, complete with bamboo trimmings, a thatched roof, and a tiki bar that you can stock with your favorite BYOB drinks and snacks. Available for private charters and public tours, Tiki Club RVA is built for 30 passengers, and accommodates both single-passenger or small group tickets as well as private parties. Similar to Paddle Club RVA, Tiki Club RVA cruises are an hour and 45 minutes in duration.
With music, drinks, and water views of nature and the city skyline, Tiki Club RVA is a memorable way to sight-see along one of Richmond’s biggest attractions – the James River – with friends or family. “With the addition of Tiki Club RVA, along with Paddle Club RVA, we can’t wait to give Richmonders even more fun and relaxing ways to soak up the sun and experience the water,” said Mike Scearce, General Manager of Sea Suite Cruises RVA.
Whether you’re looking for a day out with friends, a unique date idea, a festive way to celebrate a birthday party, an outing idea for a bachelor or bachelorette party or corporate gathering, or just want to get out on the James River, Tiki Club RVA and Paddle Club RVA are where it’s going to be in 2023.
ABOUT SEA SUITE CRUISES: Sea Suite Cruises co-founders Jack Maher and Jack Walten (“The Jacks,” as they are known) were born and raised in Arlington, Va. and have been best friends since they were two years old. The business-side of their journey began in 2018 when the then 24-year-old Jack and Jack launched Potomac Paddle Club, the first pontoon “cycleboat” in Washington, D.C. After adding more boats in Washington, D.C., they built on their success further in 2022 by partnering with local Richmond-based investors to launch Paddle Club RVA and form the parent company, Sea Suite Cruises. Sea Suite Cruises’ mission is to connect exciting people in exciting places around a suite of water-based offerings. After a successful first year in Richmond, the company has now expanded to further locations in the Mid-Atlantic such as The Wharf, Navy Yard, and Alexandria, Va. in the D.C. area, Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, and Annapolis.
CRUISE DETAILS: Group Size: Up to 30 people (available for both single ticket purchases or to rent the entire boat for a private party) Duration: 1 hour and 45 minutes
PRICING*: Monday-Wednesday: $40/Person Thursday: $45/Person Friday-Saturday: $55/Person Sunday: $50/person *Pricing may change for holiday weekends and special events
PICKUP + DROPOFF LOCATION: 4708 Old Main St, Richmond, VA. 23231 | On the dock at Rocketts Landing beneath The Boathouse restaurant and Island Shrimp Co.
MISC: — Bathroom: The vessel comes equipped with a private bathroom on board — Boat is equipped with Bluetooth-speakers, party lighting for night cruises, and built-in coolers + ice — Tiki Boat RVA tours are BYOB (hard liquor not allowed, only beer, wine, seltzer, or canned cocktails) — All cruises are staffed by a licensed master captain and deckhand
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WATCH: Richmond Region Tourism’s new marketing campaign proves Richmond “speaks for itself”
The campaign will run June 1, 2023, through June 2024, and is expected to reach more than 80 million potential travelers through connected TV in selected markets in the East Coast and southern United States, as well as on social media, digital display ads and out-of-home digital billboards in select markets.
Richmond Region Tourism has launched a new, multi-channel $2 million marketing campaign to inspire travel to the destination. “Speaks for Itself” is a first-of-its-kind campaign for the Richmond Region, targeting potential travelers in East Coast and southern U.S. markets through an unconventional, sound-focused video approach centered around the genuine and authentic character of the region. It also marks a historic opportunity for Richmond Region Tourism to invest more than double its normal budget for tourism marketing.
A 60-second video preview was unveiled to the local hospitality community at Richmond Region Tourism’s 2023 Tourism Awards and Annual Meeting on May 11. The campaign video takes inspiration from popular ASMR content on social media to communicate what it’s like for visitors to experience the Richmond Region – a destination marked by an understated authenticity that even locals find hard to define.
“The Richmond Region speaks to every visitor in different ways,” said Jack Berry, President & CEO of Richmond Region Tourism. “Trying to find a pithy slogan to sum up the region simply wouldn’t do it justice, which is why we’re so excited by this campaign—it provides a platform for local voices and experiences to shine and encourages visitors to take in the many diverse sides of the region.”
The campaign also reflects an effort of community collaboration across the Richmond region. Six jurisdictions including the City of Richmond, Chesterfield County, Hanover County, Henrico County, Colonial Heights and the Town of Ashland contributed funds received from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) via Virginia Tourism Corporation, which must be used specifically for tourism recovery efforts.
“It’s the little moments that make a visit to a destination special, and this campaign embraces and celebrates those experiences in a uniquely Richmond way,” said Richmond Region Tourism Board Chair Dan Schmitt. “They could happen at a buzzy restaurant downtown or in a peaceful park in Henrico. This campaign is remarkable in how it can be embraced and adapted across the region’s many jurisdictions.”
Richmond Region Tourism partnered with ChamberRVA and the Greater Richmond Partnership to review a competitive set of proposals from more than a dozen marketing agencies and selected Richmond-based agency Padilla to create and deliver the campaign.
To ensure that the campaign authentically reflected the Richmond Region, Padilla interviewed more than 60 local leaders and community members during campaign concepting including the BLKRVA and OutRVA committees, business owners, government officials, museum staff, college administrators and more. Keeping with the “Speaks for Itself” theme, local influencers also are being tapped to create unique ASMR-style videos that will be promoted in the campaign’s target markets.
The campaign will run June 1, 2023, through June 2024, and is expected to reach more than 80 million potential travelers through connected TV in selected markets in the East Coast and southern United States, as well as on social media, digital display ads and out-of-home digital billboards in select markets.
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New federal tailpipe rules would put stricter limits on Virginia’s heavy truck emissions
As Virginia continues down the road of speeding up the transition from gas-powered passenger vehicles to electric ones, new rules proposed by the federal government could also accelerate electrification of the state’s heavy trucks.
As Virginia continues down the road of speeding up the transition from gas-powered passenger vehicles to electric ones, new rules proposed by the federal government could also accelerate electrification of the state’s heavy trucks.
This April, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed stricter tailpipe emissions limits for passenger vehicles as well as for heavy trucks. The new limits for passenger vehicles will have little impact in Virginia: As a result of 2021 legislation, the state follows stricter standards for light vehicles set by California, which will mandate that 100% of sales of new passenger cars be electric beginning in 2035.
But because the 2021 legislation only applies to vehicles weighing 14,000 pounds or less, Virginia must follow the federal emissions standards for heavy trucks, which if finalized will apply to trucks beginning with model year 2027.
While the EPA would allow manufacturers to choose their own method of meeting the stricter emissions standards, the agency projects up to 50% of vocational vehicles — heavy trucks used for particular industries or occupations — in model year 2032 could use electric batteries and fuel cell technologies.
“By proposing the most ambitious pollution standards ever for cars and trucks, we are delivering on the Biden-Harris Administration’s promise to protect people and the planet, securing critical reductions in dangerous air and climate pollution and ensuring significant economic benefits like lower fuel and maintenance costs for families,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan in a statement.
But Virginia Trucking Association President and CEO Dale Bennett said his group has some concerns about the faster pace the new rules would set for the transition to electric vehicles.
The trucking association expects that under the new rules, fleets will become 100% electric by 2055, given the roughly 30-year lifespan of a heavy truck.
With the trucking association counting about 45,870 heavy truck and tractor-trailer drivers in Virginia in 2021, Bennett said more rapid electrification of the fleet will require significant buildout of the electric grid.
He also voiced concerns about charge times, which can take about two hours to power a truck to travel about 200 miles, compared to about 15 minutes to fill up a truck with diesel to cover 1,200 miles; battery weight; and cost. While a new diesel truck can cost about $180,000, typical electric trucks go for $400,000, he said.
“We need to go at the speed of right, not at the speed of light,” said Bennett.
“EPA’s proposed federal heavy duty vehicle emissions standard will help to clean Virginia’s air — improving our health and our environment,” Pollard said by email.
California has more stringent regulations for heavy trucks, but Virginia hasn’t adopted those, Pollard noted. And while he acknowledged truckers will see an increase in upfront costs for vehicles, he said they can be recouped in three to seven years through savings on gas and maintenance.
If finalized, the rules will be implemented by heavy-truck manufacturers, including Volvo’s New River Valley plant in Dublin, Virginia, and its Mack Trucks facility just outside Roanoke.
Dawn Fenton, vice president of government relations and public affairs at Volvo Group North America, said the company supports the transition to zero-emission vehicles and has committed to 100% of its products being fossil free by 2040. Because the Dublin plant makes both electric and diesel heavy truck engines, the facility will be able to continue producing vehicles while adjusting to a faster transition, Fenton said.
“We see that we’re moving toward a zero-emission vehicle future,” Fenton said. “Our biggest concern is by far the question about the availability of charging infrastructure to be able to enable fleets to be able to adopt them.”
Fenton said “a lot” of Volvo’s current electric truck sales are happening in California, which has stricter heavy-truck emissions regulations and has also created incentives for charging infrastructure buildout and electric vehicle purchases.
In Virginia, House Republicans this past session for the second time killed legislation from Del. Rip Sullivan, D-Arlington, to create a fund that would provide money for rural infrastructure development. The General Assembly has also repeatedly blocked proposals for state rebates for electric vehicle purchases in Virginia, although incentives are available from the federal level through the Inflation Reduction Act.
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