After first week back in school following water crisis, Henrico students reflect: ‘It was pretty rough’

Henrico students have returned to school after a “rough week” of unforeseen challenges, with a snow storm and county-wide water issues causing schools to close from Jan. 6 to Jan. 10.

Many students living in Eastern and Northern Henrico lost access to tap water altogether last week, while some reported having low water pressure. All areas of Henrico County were placed under a boil water advisory from Jan. 8 until Jan. 11, which county officials said was issued as a precautionary measure.

Ashley, a senior at Highland Springs High School, said she had “little to no water” starting around Monday last week and then lost all water access a few days later. Her family was able to use bottled water jugs for drinking water and showering.

“It was definitely hard, especially because we had a baby with us,” she said. “My mom got like jugs of water, she really stocked up. So during that time, we were taking like bird baths with the water jugs. So we had drinking water and we were getting clean, but it was very hard.”

Kaevon and Trequan, both freshmen at Highland Springs High, also lost tap water but were able to pick up water bottles from some of the county’s free distribution sites, which they used for drinking water and to shower.

“Man, it was pretty rough,” Kaevon said. “I was kind of going crazy, because I was like, I need to take a shower.”

Throughout last week, county officials and volunteers distributed more than 153,000 cases of bottled water and more than 120,000 gallons of potable water from tanker trucks. Henrico Schools also opened bathroom facilities at three schools for families to shower on Thursday and Friday.

When Dylan, a senior at Highland Springs High, lost water at her home last week, she was thankful that all schools in the county stayed closed.

“I couldn’t be thinking about school work,” she said. “I was thinking about the water, that was my main priority.”

Students also reported that water fountains were closed at Highland Springs High when they returned on Monday and that they had to bring their own water from home or purchase bottled water at school. HCPS is replacing the filters at all water bottle-filling stations at all schools this week, HCPS representative Eileen Cox said, but said “nothing is wrong” with the water at any schools.

With the end of the quarter still on Jan. 15 this week, the first day back was a bit hectic, with students trying to finish all of their assignments by the deadline, Ashley said. 

“It was definitely a day, it feels weird being back, especially this late because we were supposed to come last week,” she said. “Everybody was rushing to get their work done on time. It’s a lot going on, especially because I’m a senior, I’m just trying to get in everything.”

Liana Hardy is the Citizen’s Report for America Corps member and education reporter. Her position is dependent upon reader support; make a tax-deductible contribution to the Citizen through RFA here.