It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Richmond, VA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I am a current client of this provider We chose Always Best Care of Richmond South”
“Joan is awesome and does everything to make things right for her clients & employees”
“All of the employees at Always Best Care enjoy helping their clients and are so”
“They are a wonderful home care service and all the staff is excellent and so”
“What an amazing company to work and serve for!”
“I am a current client of this provider My father uses Always Best Care of Richmond”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care for their care, compassion and professionalism. They participated in”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care. Eva was wonderful with my mom. They always worked”
“ABC works with our schedule and does their best to provide quality care for my”
“The owner Joan is kind, compassionate and does not use unsupervised contractors. Office staff of”
“My first time experience was awesome! Emily Ferguson was very helpful and compassionate to the”
“Always Best Care provided very good care to my aunt while she was in Assisted”
“Awesome staff and great caregivers!”
“The company provided a thorough evaluation of my parents and then worked very hard to”
“Other We have used Always Best for several years They have been friendly and professional. The caretakers”
“I am a past client of this provider I called late Friday afternoon and had a”
“I am a past client of this provider I highly recommend Always Best Care. When my”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care. When my mom had a stroke last year, Joan”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care. When my mom had a stroke last year, Joan”
“OMG I swear we have the BEST caregiver ever! Aysia is like a part of”
“Wonderful, caring staff who ensures the patients and their families are happy with services provided.”
“I am a past client of this provider The staff at Always Best Care truly cares”
“Free opportunity to toot our own horn! Always Best Care is all about family and”
“They work with you. I love working for them. They communicate well and they also”
“They work with you. I love working for them. They communicate well and they also”
“Love ABC and all they offer. Great company to work for!”
“I love my job. I don't see it as work. Its more like a 2nd”
“Always best care is the best job to work for!!!!!!!”
“I am a current client of this provider We chose Always Best Care of Richmond South because they were able to get us, somebody, as quickly as we needed. Right now, they're providing help with bathing, meals, and light housework. They're also keeping an eye on my mom during the day. With regard to billing and scheduling, so far, so good. We're on a second caregiver just because of some issues on our behalf because we had to switch locations, but both caregivers seem okay. This will be our third week now.”
“Joan is awesome and does everything to make things right for her clients & employees”
“All of the employees at Always Best Care enjoy helping their clients and are so wonderful to work with!”
“They are a wonderful home care service and all the staff is excellent and so caring and loving they go out there way for there workers and clients and appreciate there hard working workers”
“What an amazing company to work and serve for!”
“I am a current client of this provider My father uses Always Best Care of Richmond South. They help with bathing, bed making, washing linen, washing clothes, they wipe and keep the floors clean, the bathtub and the bathroom area, fold clothes after they wash them, tidy up his room, and make sure that his meds are in the right place. The caregivers have been good and I'm satisfied. It's easy to contact them and they respond quickly.”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care for their care, compassion and professionalism. They participated in the care of my mother as she lived out her life in her own home. The staff was always willing to answer questions, they communicated clearly, and responded to my requests with patience. The staff and caregivers made a significant contribution to my family and a huge difference at a time when I needed it the most.”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care. Eva was wonderful with my mom. They always worked with my schedule. Great people!”
“ABC works with our schedule and does their best to provide quality care for my elderly mother-in-law. The caregivers are conscientious and take care of her needs.”
“The owner Joan is kind, compassionate and does not use unsupervised contractors. Office staff of Always Best resolve issues quickly and genuinely care. This is a quality organization with great caregivers.”
“My first time experience was awesome! Emily Ferguson was very helpful and compassionate to the needs of my family.”
“Always Best Care provided very good care to my aunt while she was in Assisted Living at The Towers and Memory Care at Elmcroft. CNA assigned to provide personal care was great. She was able to get my aunt to cooperate with assisting in personal hygiene where others were not as successful. NP Ashley was the best. I was concerned about her being receptive to a Chaplin visiting on a regular basis. Chaplin Ed was able to get her respond and was excellent with her. He looked forward to their visits. He always had good reports of each visit. My overall experience with Always Best Care was excellent. I would recommend them to anyone who is in need of additional care for their loved one. Thanks to all the staff at Always Best Care for all you do.”
“Awesome staff and great caregivers!”
“The company provided a thorough evaluation of my parents and then worked very hard to find the right match as a caregiver. The person they found was perfect and became a part of the family.”
“Other We have used Always Best for several years They have been friendly and professional. The caretakers they have sent have always been extremely helpful as well as caring. Our present caretakers is exceptional Highly recommend Always Best Care”
“I am a past client of this provider I called late Friday afternoon and had a caregiver set up for Saturday evening. My mom was in good hands with ABC”
“I am a past client of this provider I highly recommend Always Best Care. When my mom had a stroke last year, Joan Shifflett and her team did an outstanding job helping during her recovery. They were always responsive, understanding, and most importantly, caring, during a very challenging time for me and my family. If you need similar help, contact Always Best Care.”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care. When my mom had a stroke last year, Joan Shifflett and her team did an outstanding job helping during her recovery. They were always responsive, understanding, and most importantly, caring, during a very challenging time for me and my family. If you need similar help, contact Always Best Care.”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care. When my mom had a stroke last year, Joan Shifflett and her team did an outstanding job helping during her recovery. They were always responsive, understanding, and most importantly, caring, during a very challenging time for me and my family. If you need similar help, contact Always Best Care.”
“OMG I swear we have the BEST caregiver ever! Aysia is like a part of the family � Jessica Thomas and Always Best Care Senior Services always provide us with the best and it makes my life so much easier. If you are ever in the need of In home care I highly recommend this group.”
“Wonderful, caring staff who ensures the patients and their families are happy with services provided. They will fight for coverage for their clients from the insurance company, which is something other senior care companies don't seem to have much time to do. This company really cares about their clients, and treat them like family.”
“I am a past client of this provider The staff at Always Best Care truly cares about their clients. They look at them as extended family and do everything possible to meet their needs and wants. They also have someone on call 24/7, which was a huge benefit! I would definitely recommend this company.”
“Free opportunity to toot our own horn! Always Best Care is all about family and spreading compassionate senior care through our outstanding caregivers, staff and community members. Need help with senior care, give us a call. 804-912-5688”
“They work with you. I love working for them. They communicate well and they also are like family. I definitely recommend anyone looking for a job to work here.”
“They work with you. I love working for them. They communicate well and they also are like family. I definitely recommend anyone looking for a job to work here.”
“Love ABC and all they offer. Great company to work for!”
“I love my job. I don't see it as work. Its more like a 2nd home.”
“Always best care is the best job to work for!!!!!!!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Richmond, VA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Richmond, VA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Richmond, VA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.Richmond|Local EventFeb2Sun, Feb 2, 2025 at 4:00 PMRichmond's First Baptist Church, 2709 Monument Ave, Richmond, VA, 23220...
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.
Richmond|Local Event
Feb2
Richmond's First Baptist Church is hosting a gathering of Mennonites, Baptists, and other Anabaptist-interested persons from around Virginia for a celebration and exploration of the impact of Anabaptism and how its spiritual commitments are needed today. Greg Boyd, pastor, theologian, and leading voice for the Neo-Anabaptism movement, will be the keynote speaker (via Zoom). Music and a panel of speakers from other denominations will also be featured, including our own Dr. Jim Somerville. Mark your calendars now to attend!
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Sunday, 7:00 pmRichmond, VA
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RICHMOND, Va. (VIRGINIA MERCURY) - Richmond’s recent water crisis left residents scrambling for drinkable water for days after a winter storm knocked out power at the water treatment plant, triggering a backup system failure and major flooding, Virgin...
RICHMOND, Va. (VIRGINIA MERCURY) - Richmond’s recent water crisis left residents scrambling for drinkable water for days after a winter storm knocked out power at the water treatment plant, triggering a backup system failure and major flooding, Virginia Mercury reports.
But for some, fresh water was just a stroll to the park away.
“I had no idea beforehand that there was a natural spring like a half a mile away,” said James Jones, a Westover Hills resident referencing Wayside Spring, one of several natural springs dotted throughout the city. “It’s about a five minute walk from the park. It’s really right in the middle of a purely residential area.”
In previous decades, there were natural springs in Carter Jones Park (formerly known as Fonticello Park), Chimborazo Park, Byrd Park, and Powhatan Hill Community Center and Park. There was even one that ran underneath the Byrd Theatre.
Back then, “the city was testing them on a regular basis,” said Randall Morrissette, an engineer who started in what is now the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Drinking Water in 1978. “In the 1980s they started seeing the coliform bacteria, and that’s when they shut down the springs.”
Wayside Spring is the only one that is still accessible, Morrissette said. “It’s a free-flowing pipe, not something you have to turn on and off.”
Drinking water contaminated with coliform bacteria and other substances can make humans and animals sick. Still, the immediate need for water pushed some Richmonders to take a chance, and several of them, like Jones, filled up their own containers with Wayside’s spring water last week.
Read more on virginiamercury.com
Copyright 2025 WWBT. All rights reserved.
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Following the Richmond area water crisis, the City of Richmond has announced that the Virginia Department of Health will issue a Notice of Alleged Violation for the city’s water treatment.At 2:27 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 23, the City of Richmond said that it was notified that the Virginia Department of Health will iss...
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Following the Richmond area water crisis, the City of Richmond has announced that the Virginia Department of Health will issue a Notice of Alleged Violation for the city’s water treatment.
At 2:27 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 23, the City of Richmond said that it was notified that the Virginia Department of Health will issue a Notice of Alleged Violation for Richmond’s water treatment plant.
According to the department, this notice is generally the first step toward formalized enforcement of a violation of the department’s laws or regulations.
The following is the full statement released by the city in regard to the notice:
The City was notified that the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) will issue a Notice of Alleged Violation (NOAV) for Richmond’s water treatment plant. A NOAV is a necessary and planned part of working with VDH on a corrective action plan and one that will help ensure stable and resilient functionality at Richmond’s Water Treatment Plant.
Just yesterday, the City of Richmond hired HNTB Corporation to conduct a thorough, independent after-action investigation into the events surrounding the water outage earlier this month. In the coming days, the City will review and respond to the recommendations VDH has made and, where appropriate, incorporate them into the after-action report produced by HNTB.
Richmonders should know that water flowing to residences and businesses is clean and safe for consumption, and that the City’s Water Treatment Plant continues to produce more than enough drinking water to support the needs of Richmond and its regional partners. The City’s Water Treatment Plant frequently engages with regulatory agencies such as VDH, and collaboration with those partners at the regional, state, and federal level is part of the ongoing work to sustain a resilient water system moving forward.
City of Richmond
8News reached out to both the city and the Virginia Department of Health to learn more about the notice. City officials have not yet responded.
“VDH will be releasing a statement shortly,” said a spokesperson for the department.
This comes shortly after 8News reported that the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Drinking Water learned of the power outage at Richmond’s water treatment plant nearly nine hours afterward.
This is a developing story, stay with 8News for more updates.
The Virginia Department of Health detailed observations officials made during Richmond’s recent water outage in a report Thursday, saying that better training and preparation would have prevented the situation.“[The Office of Drinking Water] asserts that the water crisis should never have happened and was completely avoidable,” ...
The Virginia Department of Health detailed observations officials made during Richmond’s recent water outage in a report Thursday, saying that better training and preparation would have prevented the situation.
“[The Office of Drinking Water] asserts that the water crisis should never have happened and was completely avoidable,” the report said.
VDH’s report offers initial impressions and expectations, and seeks the city's commitment to work together to prevent another similar crisis. It also pinpoints portions of the Virginia Public Water Supplies Law and sections of the state’s waterworks regulations the city might have violated during early January.
Prior to the notice being made public, the city issued a statement via email.
“The City was notified that the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) will issue a Notice of Alleged Violation (NOAV) for Richmond’s water treatment plant. A NOAV is a necessary and planned part of working with VDH on a corrective action plan and one that will help ensure stable and resilient functionality at Richmond’s Water Treatment Plant.”
The agency based its conclusions on ODW staff assessments made between Jan. 6 and Jan. 11 at the city’s main water treatment plant.
City spokesperson Julian Walker described the notice to VPM News as another expected step in the process, adding that it would give Department of Public Utilities staff and city officials another opportunity to review ways to improve plant operations.
VDH cited “multiple failures” that led to water outages and boil advisories, and said the city might have failed to “maintain conditions throughout the entirety of the waterworks in a manner that will assure a high degree of capability and reliability to comply” with state code.
The city has 30 days to respond to the notice and provide ODW information it requested.
If the city of Richmond fails to take needed steps “in a timely manner” to return the waterworks to compliance, its permit could be revoked and the city could face lawsuits, daily fines up to $5,000 and administrative orders.
After considering about a dozen companies, the city of Richmond on Wednesday announced Kansas City-based engineering firm HNTB was selected to investigate the recent water system failure.
The review will cost about $234,000, a city spokesperson said. According to HNTB’s preliminary schedule, the firm expects a final report and presentation within 46 to 60 days — a longer timeline than Mayor Danny Avula initially anticipated.
As a result of issues at the city’s main water treatment plant that led to outages and a boil advisory in Richmond and nearby counties earlier this month, a state-level investigation is also underway. Gov. Glenn Youngkin said he expects it to find operational, technical and equipment issues.
Richmond also announced this week that it hired a firm to review the city’s emergency response to the crisis that’s expected to cost about $400,000, according to Stephen Willoughby, the city’s director for emergency communications.
804-912-5688
