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DPU reports inadvertent fluoride over‑dose during maintenance; communication SOPs to be finalized
Summary
DPU Director Scott Morris told the Organizational Development Standing Committee a maintenance valve lineup error on a fluoride pump caused a temporary elevated fluoride dosage; staff are developing SOPs, expanding escalation protocols and conducting additional sampling while coordinating with the Virginia Department of Health.
Scott Morris, director of the Department of Public Utilities (DPU), told the Organizational Development Standing Committee that maintenance work on a fluoride pump at the city’s water treatment plant resulted in an improper valve lineup that caused an elevated fluoride dosage over an approximately five‑hour period.
Morris said the plant operator did not immediately escalate the event to DPU administration; DPU received notification about the event on Sunday evening around 8:45 p.m. and met with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) the following morning to review sampling and next steps. Morris said initial plant samples reported fluoride at levels in excess of 2 milligrams per liter and that DPU and VDH have discussed appropriate recalls and responses.
Why it matters: water system operations and public communication. The department said it is drafting and training on standard…
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