The Henrico County Board of Supervisors held a work session on February 11, 2025, focusing on the recent water supply crisis that affected the region. The meeting highlighted the timeline and response strategies employed by the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) during the emergency, which began when a critical facility in Richmond went offline.

During the session, DPU Director Chan detailed the sequence of events that unfolded over several hours. The initial alert came at 7 AM when the Richmond facility reported a shutdown, prompting immediate action to manage Henrico's water supply. The county's strategy involved maximizing water production at its own facility and redirecting resources to maintain service levels. However, as the situation developed, it became clear that the Richmond facility would remain offline longer than anticipated, leading to increased concern among regional leaders.

Key discussions included the challenges of communication between jurisdictions, with delays in information sharing exacerbating the crisis. The timeline revealed that critical updates were not communicated until several hours after the initial problem was identified, which hindered coordinated responses among Henrico and neighboring counties.

As the situation escalated, Henrico officials organized meetings with regional leaders and the Virginia Health Department to address the crisis collaboratively. By 4:26 PM, a boil water advisory was issued for Henrico, reflecting the severity of the water supply issues. The meeting underscored the importance of timely communication and cooperation among regional utilities to prevent similar incidents in the future.

In conclusion, the board emphasized the need for improved communication protocols and contingency planning to enhance the region's resilience against water supply disruptions. The session served as a critical reflection on the recent crisis and a call to action for better preparedness moving forward.