Virginia force main break spills up to 500,000 gallons of sewage daily
(UI) — A force main break in Hopewell, Va., is releasing an estimated 400,000 to 500,000 gallons of sewage per day into Cattail Creek, prompting a recreational water advisory as crews work to repair the damaged wastewater pipeline.
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) issued the advisory for Bailey Bay on July 16 after the pressurized sewer pipe ruptured July 14 near South First Avenue. According to Hopewell Water Renewal and WRIC News, the force main has continued discharging sewage into Cattail Creek while repair efforts are underway, with the utility expecting repairs to be completed next week. Officials said there have been no reported impacts to drinking water or wastewater service.
The recreational water advisory urges the public to avoid activities involving full-body contact with the water until further notice. While no water quality impacts had been confirmed in Bailey Creek or Bailey Bay as of Thursday, VDH said the advisory was issued as a precaution due to the ongoing sewage release.
The incident marks the latest in a series of wastewater system failures in Hopewell, WRIC News reported. In July 2025, approximately 1 million gallons of untreated sewage were discharged into the James River following an electrical failure at the city's wastewater treatment plant. City officials also disclosed last year that roughly 164,000 gallons of partially treated sewage had been released during multiple incidents in 2024.
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