Buchanan County Sewer Infrastructure Damage

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In collaboration with:

Recreation Advisory for Slate Creek and the Levisa Fork River

This page is dedicated to sharing updates about ongoing sewage discharges from parts of the Buchanan County Public Service Authority (BCPSA) sewage system, which led to a recreation advisory for parts of Slate Creek and the Levisa Fork River.

Background

In February 2025, a series of winter storms caused heavy flooding across southwest Virginia, including areas in Buchanan County. On February 15, the flooding badly damaged BCPSA’s sewage collection system. The damage includes broken sewer lines, manholes that moved out of place, and pipes clogged with rocks and gravel.

Because of this damage, sewage is leaking into parts of Slate Creek and the Levisa Fork River. Because repairs to the sewage system will take several months, the Cumberland Plateau Health District issued a recreation advisory for Slate Creek and the Levisa Fork River.

Updates will be provided below on a periodic basis.

Advisory Area

Update: Aug. 6, 2025

On July 2, 2025, BCPSA started repair work in the Slate Creek area. Sewer lines that were washed out at the Virginia Funeral Home and Mountain Mission School were reconnected and manholes were cleaned out. There were some work delays due to periods of heavy rain and elevated stream levels. As of July 31, 2025, sewer repairs along Slate Creek have been completed with the exception of one area across from the Heritage Hall Nursing Home.

Buchanan PSA update 08.05.2025

Update: June 18, 2025

Update: May 13, 2025

Repairs to the damaged Buchanan County Public Service Authority (BCPSA) sewage system have begun; however, due to the extent of damage and the complexities associated with repairing sewer infrastructure that is in or adjacent to the Levisa Fork River and Slate Creek, full system repairs are not expected to be complete until the first quarter of 2027.

With the exception of a missing manhole in Royal City, the BCPSA has completed manhole repairs along the section shown below. The BCPSA has also been working to clear sewer lines that were clogged with sand and gravel. In doing so, they encountered a section of broken sewer line in the vicinity of Royal City that will have to be replaced. Due to river depth in this area, replacement will be difficult and will only be able to occur when river conditions improve.

Buchanan PSA update 05.13.2025

Virginia DEQ

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Buchanan County Sewer Infrastructure Damage

In collaboration with:

Recreation Advisory for Slate Creek and the Levisa Fork River

Background

Advisory Area

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