Our commitment to the well-being of the Virginia Tech community

3 Oct 2024

portrait of Tim Sands — Students and employees can refill water bottles from a potable water filling station outside of Dietrick Hall at the Quillen Plaza. A second station is outside of Perry Place at Hitt Hall. Virginia Tech photo

As the Virginia Tech community enters its fourth day of a boil water notice, it is certainly understandable that some in our community may feel anxious or frustrated about our current situation.

Please be assured that in challenging times like this, Virginia Tech is committed to the safety and well-being of our students and employees and to keep our community informed of the latest information and resources available as we navigate this challenging situation together.

Since the start of the boil water notice on Monday, Virginia Tech has worked very closely with local officials from the towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg, Montgomery County, the Virginia Department of Health, and the New River Valley Water Authority to address this situation and restore clean drinking water to our homes, apartments, residence halls, and work spaces. That work is underway; however, we anticipate the boil water notice will remain in effect to at least through the weekend of Oct. 12-13. This time is necessary to perform the testing that will ensure that our water is safe to drink before the boil water notice is lifted.

Until then, Virginia Tech will continue its efforts to provide students with potable water. For on-campus students, bottled water is distributed daily from 1 to 6 p.m. at assigned locations with information sent to students' vt.edu email addresses. Students receive two bottles of water per day by presenting or swiping their Hokie Passports.

Off-campus students should continue to follow boil water instructions. In addition, potable water filling stations are available at Dietrick Hall and Perry Place, and bottled water is available for purchase in dining facilities.

And please note, according to the Virginia Department of Health, our water is safe for showering, bathing, cleaning, washing clothes, and washing dishes by hand or with a dishwasher.

As information is updated each day, please visit the University Status Page for the latest on this situation.

As we prepare to endure our current situation for another week, there a many at Virginia Tech who are ready to help you. Our work with our community partners continues around the clock, and Virginia Tech is committed to remaining open to fulfill our teaching, research, and engagement mission.

As you navigate this difficult time, Virginia Tech has the following resources available to support students and employees:

Students:

Cook Counseling Center at 540-231-6557
Cranwell International Center at 540-231-6527
Dean of Students Office at 540-231-3787
Graduate Life Center at 540-231-6691
Hokie Wellness at 540-231-2233
Housing Services at 540-231-6205
Office for Inclusion and Diversity at 540-231-3811
Residential Well-being
TimelyCare
Women’s Center at Virginia Tech at 540-231-7806

Employees:

Employee Assistance Program
- Anthem at 855-223-9277
- Aetna at 888-238-6232
- Kaiser Permanente at 866-517-7042
- Sentara Health Plans Vantage HMO at 800-899-8174