The city’s Department of Public Utilities provides water, wastewater and natural gas, an unusual combination for a city utility. Older parts of Richmond are served by combined sewers draining toward the James River. A water treatment plant failure in January 2025 led to a citywide outage and boil-water advisory, a reminder for homeowners to know their shutoffs and keep emergency water on hand.
Housing & construction
Historic row houses and townhomes in the Fan, Church Hill and Jackson Ward, mid-century homes in the suburbs, and newer apartments downtown.
Plumbing services in Richmond
Sewer Line Repair in Richmond
Narrow row-house lots
Richmond sewer line repair →
Gas Line Plumbing in Richmond
City gas utility
Richmond gas line plumbing →Also common in Richmond: pipe repair, drain cleaning.
What makes Richmond plumbing different
Historic row houses
Cast iron, galvanized and clay systems are common in 100-year-old homes.
Combined sewers
Older areas can see storm-driven backups.
City-run gas and water
One utility handles water, wastewater and gas service questions.
Street tree roots
Mature trees damage clay laterals under sidewalks.
Seasonal plumbing calendar for Richmond
- WinterInsulate crawl space and exterior-wall pipes in older homes.
- Summer stormsHeavy rain tests combined sewers and laterals.
Plumbing emergency in Richmond?
- Close the main water shutoff, or the fixture valve if the problem is in one place.
- Stay away from water near outlets or the electrical panel.
- For sewage backups, stop using all drains.
- If you smell gas, leave and call the gas utility or 911 from outside.
Richmond plumbing questions
Who provides water and gas in Richmond?
The City of Richmond’s Department of Public Utilities provides water, wastewater and natural gas service.
Does Richmond have combined sewers?
Yes, parts of the older city are served by combined sewers.
Do Fan District homes need repiping?
Many still have galvanized supply; low pressure and rust are signs.
Nearby service areas
We also serve communities around Richmond, including Henrico, Chesterfield, Midlothian, Glen Allen, Mechanicsville, Petersburg.
