Richmond water issue closes state government buildings day before lawmakers return to session

RICHMOND: So, here’s the scoop. All state buildings in Richmond are closed today because of some serious water contamination issues. This mess started after that winter storm we had. It’s affecting places like the General Assembly Building and the State Capitol.

Now, the state legislators were all set to kick off their session on Wednesday at noon. But with the buildings shut down, it’s anyone’s guess what’s going to happen next.

The storm knocked out power at Richmond’s water plant, which messed up the city’s reservoir system. Mayor Danny Avula mentioned that they expect water pressure to be back by Tuesday afternoon. But don’t get too excited just yet; the boil water advisory is still in place and might stick around for another couple of days.

Once the water is back on, it could take about 16 to 18 hours for everything to get back to normal, according to the General Assembly Clerk’s Office.

Oh, and while all this is going on, there are three special elections happening in Loudoun County and west of Richmond today. The results could really shake things up in the state House and Senate, especially since it’s Glenn Youngkin’s last year as governor. Right now, the Democrats have a slim grip on both houses.

This story is still unfolding, so keep an eye out for updates throughout the day!