Colonial Heights Residents and Restaurants Cope with Boil Water Advisory

City officials say the advisory won't be lifted until at least Saturday as they work to repair a split water main.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:51pm

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An abstract, out-of-focus scene of a residential neighborhood shrouded in a hazy, dreamlike atmosphere, conveying the melancholy and disruption caused by a boil water advisory.The boil water advisory has disrupted daily life for Colonial Heights residents, who must adjust their routines and take extra precautions until the tap water is deemed safe.Colonial Heights Today

Residents and restaurants in Colonial Heights, Virginia are dealing with a boil water advisory that was issued after a split in the city's 16-inch water main caused a loss of water pressure. The advisory is expected to remain in effect until at least Saturday as the city collects water samples to ensure it's safe to drink. Residents are relying on bottled water and boiled tap water, while local restaurants are adjusting by using bottled water, canned drinks, and disposable utensils.

Why it matters

Boil water advisories can significantly disrupt daily life and business operations, especially for restaurants that rely on clean water for food preparation, cleaning, and other essential functions. The prolonged nature of this advisory highlights the importance of maintaining aging water infrastructure to prevent such issues from arising.

The details

Officials said a split in a 16-inch water main caused an extreme loss of pressure in Colonial Heights' water system on Wednesday, April 1, leading the city and the Virginia Department of Health to issue a boil water advisory. While the broken pipe has been repaired, it will still take several days to collect and test water samples to determine if it's safe to drink. Until the advisory is lifted, residents are advised to use bottled water or boil tap water before consumption.

  • The water main break was first reported around 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 1.
  • Repairs to the broken pipe were completed early Thursday morning.
  • The boil water advisory is expected to remain in effect until at least Saturday.

The players

Andrew Barnes

The Director of Public Works for the City of Colonial Heights.

Donnie Warren

A Colonial Heights resident dealing with the boil water advisory.

Randy Mansini

The owner of the Keystone Grill restaurant in Colonial Heights.

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What they’re saying

“They identified that it was just a standard split along a 16-inch water main that runs through a swampy area of the city. As random as it could be. It wasn't a particularly old pipe or in bad condition. It was just something that happened.”

— Andrew Barnes, Director of Public Works

“Haven't been able to drink it but we can wash in it. To have drinking water or water to make coffee with.”

— Donnie Warren, Resident

“It's kind of been a pain, but we've dealt with it. We have the bottled water set up, canned soft drinks, and bagged ice. Using plastic ware, disposable utensils, cleaning all of our tables with sanitizers. Just doing everything to the health protocols.”

— Randy Mansini, Restaurant Owner

What’s next

City officials say they will continue distributing bottled water to residents on Friday once they receive another shipment. They are also asking residents to stay up to date on official notifications about the boil water advisory on the city's website.

The takeaway

This boil water advisory highlights the importance of maintaining aging water infrastructure to prevent disruptions to daily life and business operations. While the city works to ensure the water is safe, residents and restaurants are adapting by relying on bottled water and other temporary solutions, underscoring the resilience of the community.