Richmond, VA Boil Water Advisory: What You Need to Know (And Why Your Coffee Might Taste a Little Off)

Richmond, VA Boil Water Advisory: What You Need to Know (And Why Your Coffee Might Taste a Little Off) If you’re a Richmond local, you might have heard about the boil water advisory that’s been issued recently. Don’t worry, it’s not some grand conspiracy to get you to drink bottled water, though it might feel like it. Let’s break down what’s going on, what you need to do, and why your coffee might taste like a slightly soggy paper towel. So, What’s a Boil Water Advisory? In simple terms, a boil water advisory is when the local water supply has been compromised—usually due to things like a broken water main, contamination, or some other glitch in the waterworks. When this happens, the city advises residents to boil their tap water before using it for things like drinking, cooking, or brushing your teeth. Why? Because boiling kills any harmful bacteria or viruses that might be floating around in your water. If you’ve been following the news, you’ll know that the advisory was issued after a certain event (we'll leave out the specifics for now) that affected water safety in Richmond. The advisory typically lasts until tests confirm the water is safe to consume.