McAuliffe said he had also spoken with Lynchburg Mayor Michael Gillette and offered him “any and all resources he needs to respond to this incident and keep Virginians safe.”

The oil in the James should not pose a threat to drinking water, said John Aulbach, director of the Virginia Department of Health’s drinking water office.

The spill is below Lynchburg’s drinking water intake and more than 120 miles upriver from the Richmond area, said Aulbach, who estimated it would take up to four days for oil to reach this region.

“It’s not going to have an impact on our water plants here,” he said.

Richmond utility officials are taking no chance with the potential arrival of oil as early as today because of the swollen, swiftly flowing James.

“We’re estimating it will be here sometime … before (Thursday) morning at sunrise,” said Robert C. Steidel, director of public utilities.

Steidel said Richmond is prepared to use Tuckahoe Creek as an alternative water source, but does not expect to do so.