Water service to Richmond jail to be restored today

Repairs to ruptured pipes at the Richmond City Jail required the facility to shut off its water service last night, but jail officials expected it to be back on this morning.

Water was shut off at 6:30 p.m. so that the jail's water pipes could be flushed. The city provided the jail with 20,000 containers of water to be distributed to inmates, said Lt. Col. Walter E. Allmon. Also, inmates were given a large cup of ice after their evening meal, he said.

"It's not an issue of lack of water. . . . . If it's requested, it will be given to them," he said.

Allmon said the water was expected to be back on by 7 a.m. today.