Sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) reported, Aug 5, 2026

Record details

Original source data

{
  "releases": [
    {
      "title": "Recreational Water Advisory Issued for Hull Creek following Sewer Main Break",
      "link": "https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/news/public-relations-contacts/2026-regional-news-releases/recreational-water-advisory-issued-for-hull-creek-following-sewer-main-break/",
      "pubDate": "Wed, 05 Aug 2026 21:16:15 +0000",
      "published": "2026-08-05T17:16:15-04:00",
      "action": "issued",
      "categories": [
        "Hull Creek",
        "Portsmouth Health Department",
        "recreational water advisory"
      ],
      "dateline": "Portsmouth",
      "lead": [
        "Recreational Water Advisory Issued for Hull Creek following Sewer Main Break",
        "PORTSMOUTH, Va.- Out of an abundance of caution and due to the anticipated timeline for repairs, the Portsmouth Health Department is issuing a recreational water advisory for Virginia residents following a report of a force main break, a burst in a pressurized sewer pipe.",
        "For the safety of people and pets, Portsmouth Health Department is advising Portsmouth residents to avoid recreational water activities in Hull Creek, such as swimming, wading, tubing, or kayaking, where full-body submersion is more likely to occur. Boating activities where full-body submersion is not likely to occur (motor boating, flatwater canoeing or kayaking, and fishing) may continue with proper caution to avoid exposure to contaminated water.",
        "The advisory is being issued out of an abundance of caution because of a 30-inch sewer force main break on Douglas Avenue near Rolfe Terrace, which was discovered on August 4. Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) is working to make repairs and clean up the area. An estimated 3 million gallons were released.",
        "Portsmouth Health Department is issuing this advisory for the public to avoid the area until repairs are complete. The advisory area for Hull Creek extends throughout the Western Branch of the Elizabeth River.",
        "To prevent recreational water illnesses due to exposure to sewage spill events, people should:"
      ],
      "advisory_area": "The advisory area for Hull Creek extends throughout the Western Branch of the Elizabeth River.",
      "advice": "For the safety of people and pets, Portsmouth Health Department is advising Portsmouth residents to avoid recreational water activities in Hull Creek, such as swimming, wading, tubing, or kayaking, where full-body submersion is more likely to occur. Boating activities where full-body submersion is not likely to occur (motor boating, flatwater canoeing or kayaking, and fishing) may continue with proper caution to avoid exposure to contaminated water. Portsmouth Health Department is issuing this advisory for the public to avoid the area until repairs are complete.",
      "role": "issued"
    },
    {
      "title": "Recreational Water Advisory Lifted for Hull Creek Following Sewer Main Break",
      "link": "https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/news/public-relations-contacts/2026-regional-news-releases/recreational-water-advisory-lifted-for-hull-creek-following-sewer-main-break/",
      "pubDate": "Mon, 17 Aug 2026 19:33:15 +0000",
      "published": "2026-08-17T15:33:15-04:00",
      "action": "lifted",
      "categories": [
        "Portsmouth Health Department",
        "recreational water advisory",
        "sewer main break"
      ],
      "dateline": "Portsmouth",
      "lead": [
        "Recreational Water Advisory Lifted for Hull Creek Following Sewer Main Break",
        "PORTSMOUTH, Va.- Effective immediately, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), is lifting the Hull Creek advisory in Portsmouth, VA.",
        "The advisory was issued out of an abundance of caution in response to a 30-inch sewer force main break on Douglas Avenue near Rolfe Terrace that was discovered on August 4.",
        "The overflow was stopped, and repairs were successfully completed on Friday, August 7, following efforts by Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) personnel. Estimated total release of sewage was 3 million gallons.",
        "VDH has observed no evidence of impacts to drinking water. Additionally, wastewater service remained uninterrupted for City of Portsmouth utility customers throughout the repair process.",
        "The City of Portsmouth appreciates the patience and cooperation of residents, visitors, and partner agencies throughout the response and repair process.",
        "To prevent recreational water illnesses due to exposure to sewage spill events, people should:"
      ],
      "advisory_area": null,
      "advice": "Avoid contact with water in the advisory area and observe advisory signage posted at waterbody access points.",
      "role": "lifted"
    }
  ],
  "kind": "recreational",
  "place_words": [
    "creek",
    "hull"
  ],
  "event_type_basis": "the release names a sewage spill or sewer break",
  "valid_until": "2026-08-17T15:33:15-04:00",
  "notes": null,
  "water_placement": {
    "subject": "Hull Creek",
    "town": "Portsmouth",
    "notes": null
  },
  "discharger_named": [
    "va-hrsd",
    "va-portsmouth"
  ],
  "_time_basis": "RSS pubDate (UTC) shown in America/New_York; started_at = the issued release, ended_at = the lift"
}

Source: Virginia Department of Health (Portsmouth Health Department) via Virginia Department of Health recreational water and swimming advisories (newsroom search RSS), record recreational-water-advisory-issued-for-hull-creek-following-sewer-main-break, published Aug 5, 2026, 5:16 PM EDT, retrieved 2026-11-03 02:42 UTC · Read the original notice

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