RICHMOND, Va. — The widespread water crisis that engulfed the Richmond metro area earlier this month was completely avoidable and never should have happened, according to a damning Notice of Alleged Violation issued to the City of Richmond by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), a warning which also states the city may have broken state law.

Poor maintenance and testing, insufficient staffing and inadequate training may have contributed to Richmond’s six-day water crisis, according to a notice of alleged violation from the Virginia Department of Health.