Quick Answer
Henrico County has begun work on a $304 million, 13-mile Eastern Henrico Transmission Line designed to give eastern Henrico a second source of water from the county’s own Three Chopt Road treatment facility, after customers there lost water for days in January 2025. The first section is due in 2028 and the full line by 2031. Until then, rental owners and tenants in any part of the Richmond region should keep an emergency water plan: stored water, a known shutoff valve, and a checklist for restoring service safely.
What Local Government Reporting Says
Richmond BizSense reported in its November 2 local government briefs that Henrico officials held a groundbreaking last week at Richmond Raceway for two linked projects. The first is the $30 million Richmond-Henrico Turnpike Improvements project, which will widen the road between East Laburnum Avenue and Hummingbird Road, add pedestrian infrastructure, and install box culverts. The second is the Eastern Henrico Transmission Line, a $304 million, 13-mile pipeline. The first mile-long section is due in 2028 along with the turnpike project, and the full line is expected to be in service by 2031. The county says the line will allow it to serve all water customers from its Three Chopt Road treatment facility.
The reporting also recalls the reason for the project: in January 2025, eastern Henrico customers lost water for days after a mechanical failure at the City of Richmond’s water treatment plant. For residents, landlords, and property managers, that event is a reminder that even a well-run public system can fail, and that preparation is cheap compared with a week of scrambling.
Why This Matters to Landlords and Tenants Across the Region
You do not have to live in eastern Henrico to take the lesson. Water outages and boil-water advisories can come from a main break, a treatment plant problem, a power failure, or a freeze. In a rental, an outage raises practical questions fast: who tells tenants what is happening, who supplies drinking water, can the toilets be flushed, and what has to be checked when service returns? A shared plan prevents confusion and protects the property.
| Project | What Is Planned | Reported Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond-Henrico Turnpike Improvements | Widening between East Laburnum Avenue and Hummingbird Road, pedestrian infrastructure, box culverts ($30 million) | Underway with the first transmission line section |
| Eastern Henrico Transmission Line, first section | About one mile of a 13-mile line | Due in 2028 |
| Eastern Henrico Transmission Line, full line | $304 million, 13 miles | Expected in service by 2031 |
Build a Simple Water Outage Plan
Store Drinking Water Ahead of Time
Emergency preparedness guidance, including from Ready.gov, recommends storing at least one gallon of water per person per day for several days, plus extra for pets. In a small rental, that can be a few cases of bottled water or a handful of clean, food-grade containers kept in a closet. Rotate the supply once or twice a year. Do not rely on the water already in the pipes for drinking after a contamination advisory.
Know Where the Main Shutoff Is
If a main breaks or service returns suddenly, you may want to close the home’s main valve to avoid flooding from an open fixture. Walk tenants through the location of the shutoff and test it once a year so it does not seize up. Owners should label the valve and note it in the move-in packet.
Understand Your Backup Sources
A standard water heater tank holds a significant amount of water that can be used for non-drinking needs in a short outage if the system is shut off safely. Bathtubs can be filled ahead of a planned shutdown to provide water for flushing toilets with a bucket. Neither source is a substitute for drinking water, and a tank should only be drained according to the manufacturer’s directions.
Keep Basic Supplies
- Bottled water and a few days of shelf-stable food.
- Hand sanitizer and wet wipes.
- A bucket for flushing and a few trash bags.
- A flashlight and a battery or crank radio.
- Paper plates and utensils to save water on dishwashing.
- A printed list of emergency contacts, since phones may run low on power.
During an Outage or Boil-Water Advisory
- Check whether it is a local problem. Ask a neighbor, check the utility’s outage map or social channels, and confirm the issue is not just your own plumbing.
- Follow the utility’s instructions. A boil-water advisory usually means boiling water for a set time before drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, or making ice. Follow the exact guidance in the notice.
- Turn off the water heater if the water stops. Many manufacturers recommend turning off the heating element or gas control if the tank may run dry, to protect the equipment. Follow your unit’s manual.
- Close faucets and appliances. Leave them off so that if water returns unexpectedly, nothing is left running.
- Notify tenants or the landlord. A quick message to residents about what is known and what to do prevents panic and calls.
- Keep food safe. Without running water, use hand sanitizer and disposable plates, and follow the advisory for any food preparation.
When Service Returns: A Restoration Checklist
The first hours after the water comes back are when many rental problems show up. Air in the lines, sediment, and sudden pressure can cause leaks and clogs. Work through this list:
- Open a cold tap in the bathtub or a utility sink and let it run until the water is clear.
- Flush every toilet and run each faucet, starting with the lowest in the house.
- Walk the home and look for drips, wet ceilings, or sounds of running water.
- Run the dishwasher and washing machine on empty or after flushing lines, following the advisory.
- Replace refrigerator and under-sink water filters and discard the first batch of ice from the ice maker.
- Drain and refill the water heater only as directed by the manufacturer.
- Report any leaks, low pressure, or discoloration to the landlord promptly in writing.
If the advisory included contamination, follow the utility’s guidance on flushing taps, sanitizing, and when it is safe to drink the water again.
Landlord Responsibilities and Good Practice
A public water outage is usually outside a landlord’s control, but good communication and a prepared property still matter. Owners and managers can:
- Keep a current contact list for every tenant and send updates by text or email during an outage.
- Know the location of every shutoff valve and label them.
- Offer a short guide to emergency water use in the move-in packet.
- Keep a plumber and a restoration contractor on call for after-hours leaks.
- Document the date and duration of outages in case a tenant asks for relief or an insurance claim arises.
For broader storm and utility planning, see our guide to storm season prep for Richmond rentals, and read how to check flood risk before you sign a lease.
Water Outage Readiness at a Glance
| Item | Who Handles It | How Often |
|---|---|---|
| Stored drinking water | Tenant | Check twice a year |
| Main shutoff label and test | Owner or manager | Annually |
| Tenant contact list | Owner or manager | Update at each lease change |
| Emergency plumber on call | Owner or manager | Review yearly |
| Filter replacement after an advisory | Tenant or owner, per lease | After each advisory |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Eastern Henrico Transmission Line?
It is a planned 13-mile, $304 million water line that Henrico says will let it serve all water customers from its Three Chopt Road treatment facility. The full line is expected to be in service by 2031.
Why is Henrico building it?
Local reporting links the project to the January 2025 outage, when eastern Henrico customers lost water for days after a mechanical failure at the City of Richmond’s water treatment plant.
How much water should a household store?
Emergency guidance generally recommends at least one gallon per person per day for several days, plus extra for pets and for hygiene.
Who is responsible for water during a public outage?
The utility restores the public system. Landlords and tenants should communicate and prepare, and any specific rights or obligations depend on the lease and Virginia law.
What should I do when water comes back on?
Run cold water until it is clear, flush toilets, check for leaks, replace filters if advised, and follow any instructions in a boil-water notice.
Should I drain my water heater during an outage?
Only follow the manufacturer’s directions. Many suggest turning off power or gas to the heater if the tank may run dry and checking before restarting.
Can a tenant withhold rent during a water outage?
Do not assume that. Virginia has specific procedures for tenant remedies, and a short public outage is a different situation from a landlord failing to maintain the property. Ask a qualified professional before taking any action.
Talk to Mission Realty
A prepared property is easier to manage in any season. Mission Realty Property Management keeps shutoff locations, vendor contacts, and tenant communications organized so outages and repairs get handled fast. Learn about our property management services, explore our owner page, or request a free rental analysis. Residents can find help on our resident page, and anyone can contact us.
