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DPU director reports fluoride pump valve lineup error; city drafting SOPs and communication templates
Summary
DPU Director Scott Morris told the committee an improper valve lineup during maintenance caused an elevated fluoride dosing for about five hours; the department is finalizing SOPs, training and external communication templates and will share communication protocol with council.
Scott Morris, director of the Department of Public Utilities, briefed the Organizational Development standing committee on recent activities at Richmond's main water treatment plant, including an April maintenance event that led to an unintended overdosage of fluoride.
Morris said an improper valve lineup during repair of a fluoride pump caused an additional fluoride dosage over an approximately five-hour period, and that on-site staff did not escalate the issue to DPU administration immediately. "Notification was given to DPU administration on Sunday night around 09:00," he told the committee, and DPU began coordinating with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and regional partners once administration was notified.
The presentation summarized two oversight reports: a recent sanitary survey from VDH (with multiple recommendations and items needing follow-up) and an EPA 2022 report listing areas of concern. Morris said his team compiled all outstanding observations and is addressing them; he noted the plant has drafted about 58 standard operating procedures to improve consistency and accountability and that the first batch of SOPs, including a communications SOP, was under review for immediate staff training.
Council members asked when senior administration and the mayor were informed and pressed for a copy of the communications SOP once finalized. Morris said the mayor was informed the next morning; he described the communications SOP as a hierarchy of escalation that defines who staff should notify (onsite supervisor, chief operator, superintendent, senior deputy, director) and triggers for contacting external partners and the public.
Members pressed for better and timelier public communication. Morris said DPU has begun issuing distribution-system samples and supplemental press information when incidents occur and will produce templates to speed community notices. He said the department also is focused on creating a culture that encourages prompt reporting, coupled with accountability for willful or negligent failures to follow procedure.
Council members thanked Morris for ongoing text updates during incidents and asked that the finalized SOP and the communications protocol be provided to council when complete.
Next steps: DPU will finalize the communications SOP and provide copies to council; DPU will continue sampling and coordinate with VDH on follow-up regarding items identified in sanitary and EPA reports.
