• The new repair sleeve arrived onsite at approximately 7:00 a.m. Tuesday 
• Hopewell Water Renewal (HWR) successfully completed installation of the new repair sleeve and stopped the sewage leak at approximately 12:00 p.m. (noon)
• HWR will still be working in the area to install a concrete pad beneath the repaired pipe (for support) and to backfill the repair excavation
• HWR will be preparing a follow-up report for DEQ
• The total estimated sewage discharge was 1.5 million gallons

Installation of the new repair sleeve

Completed installation of the repair sleeve

• The initial repair clamp that was unsuccessful was left in place to keep the sewage discharge to less than 100 gallons per minute
• The fabrication facility for the special repair sleeve encountered a production delay such that the part is in transit and expected to arrive late in the day Monday for installation on Tuesday, July 21.
• HWR is preparing for installation of the repair sleeve on Tuesday. 

• Hopewell Water Renewal (HWR) contacted additional contractors to evaluate repair options and develop a new plan
• HWR began checking pump stations and valving to determine the source of back pressure that was keeping the sewer main under pressure
• HWR, DEQ & Virginia Department of Health (VDH) held coordination call to discuss the current situation
• VDH determined that a recreational advisory should be issued out of an abundance of caution; advisory area is shown below

• HWR has ordered a custom-fabricated encapsulation sleeve that will allow them to seal the leak while the sewer line is under pressure
• The custom part is being fabricated in Texas and will be shipped overnight – weekend delivery is expected
• HWR will start repairs once the part arrives
• A DEQ inspector visited the site to observe and document site conditions (see photos below)
• There were no changes to site conditions; the sewage release is ongoing

Low-lying swamp area into which wastewater is draining
Sewer line excavation filled with wastewater

• Repair materials were brought to the site
• Excavation of the area continued
• Dewatering pumps were used to remove wastewater from the excavation
• The South First Avenue pump station was shut down to reduce flow, but no pressure reduction occurred
• Additional pump stations further down the force main were also shut off around 10 a.m. to alleviate the back pressure on the line
• HWR discuss the situation and our construction timeline with with DEQ and VDH
• At approximately 2 p.m. HWR decided to attempt to repair the force even though they could not reduce the pressure in the main
• Multiple attempts were made to set and tighten a repair sleeve around the damaged pipe, but the repair was unsuccessful
• At 7 p.m. and with no progress, HWR decided to re-evaluate repair options
• All pump stations were restarted to reduce the total overflow volume
• DEQ & VDH were updated that the repair was not holding

Image of repair sleeve not holding under pressure

• HWR pump station personnel discovered wastewater bubbling up through the ground adjacent to the South First Avenue. pump station at approximately 6 a.m.
• Additional personnel and contractors were called as the situation was investigated
• HWR requested flow reductions from the Federal Corrections Complex and Riverside Jail in order to lessen the overall wastewater discharging to the pump station
• HWR personnel determined that the leak was from the 24” force main on the discharge side of the pump station
• HWR notified DEQ as equipment and personnel were mobilizing to the site
• Contractors excavated the pipe and found a 2” hole near the bottom of the ductile iron force main pipe
• HWR began planning for the needed repairs and ordering the needed materials
• The City of Hopewell issued a media release to alert the public of the situation
• The pump station remained in operation with an estimated 200-300 gallons per minute being lost through the hole in the pipe
• Overflowed wastewater spread and pooled in a swampy area around the pump station.

Image of sewer pipe excavation

Image of excavated leaking sewer pipe

Image of sewage flowing into swampy area around the pump station 

The Crater Health District is aware of the sewage spill in Goose Creek and continues to monitor the situation.  

Recreational activities in natural bodies of water, such as swimming and boating, always pose some level of health risk because streams, rivers, and oceans are not disinfected, and it is reasonable to expect that some level of pathogens could be present. Following a sewage release, however, that risk may be elevated.

To prevent illness following sewage release events, people should:

• Avoid contact with water in the advisory area and observe advisory signage posted at waterbody access points. 
• Avoid any area of the water body where water has a foul odor, dead or dying fish, or discolored water.
• Promptly wash skin with soap and water if you cannot avoid contact with water in the vicinity.
• Rinse or wash items that come into contact with the water, including clothing, fishing gear, life vests, ropes, and paddles.
• Seek medical care and notify your practitioner of the waterbody exposure if you experience adverse health effects after contact with the waterbody.
• When harvesting fish or crabs, discard skin, organs, cook the meat to the proper temperature, and clean cutting boards and cutting implements with warm soapy water.    

For more information, contact the Crater Health District.