Some city employees worked 17 days in a row since the January 6 emergency, and other employees worked 21 consecutive days without a day

Richmond’s recent water crisis left residents scrambling for drinkable water for days after a winter storm knocked out power at the water treatment plant, triggering a backup system failure and major flooding.

A 10-page report from Virginia health officials to Richmond on Thursday can be summed up with one scathing sentence: "The water crisis should never have happened and was completely avoidable." Why it matters: It's the first time the Virginia Department of Health has officially said the city's preparation was so insufficient it may have violated state law and regulations.

The city is partnering with the United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg to support Richmonders impacted by the crisis.

The Virginia Department of Health does not believe that the city of Richmond is capable of ensuring its citizens have reliable access to clean water.