Janice R. Andrews
July 4, 2024, Washington, D.C.
A boil water advisory is in effect for thousands of people in Washington, D.C., advising them to boil their water before drinking it as the Fourth of July vacation approaches. DC Water, the District’s water and sewer authority, has issued an advisory that impacts not only District households but also the Pentagon, Reagan National Airport, and Arlington National Cemetery.
The warning comes after the Washington Aqueduct’s water supply significantly decreased, raising concerns about the water’s quality. On Wednesday night, the Dalecarlia Water Treatment Plant started up again after reducing output because of turbidity, or murky or foggy water. Even though DC Water claims there is no evidence of pollution, the advise is meant to serve as a preventative measure until additional testing verifies the safety of the water.
Safety and Health Measures
DC Water highlights that while turbidity in and of itself poses no health risks, it can obstruct disinfection and encourage the growth of microorganisms. Turbidity can be a sign of the presence of bacteria, viruses, or parasites that cause disease, which can cause symptoms including headaches, cramps, diarrhea, and nausea. Individuals who are more vulnerable, such as newborns, young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems, have to exercise more caution.
Guidelines for Affected Residents
Affected residents are advised by DC Water to:
- Drinks and ice manufactured after Wednesday at 9:00 p.m. EDT should be thrown away.
- Prior to boiling the water, run it cold.
- Before boiling water, run it for two minutes if lead can be seen in the pipes.
- After one minute of vigorous boiling, let the water cool.
- Cooled boiling water should be kept in a hygienic, covered container.
- Refrain from substituting bottled or boiling water with home filtration systems.
Uses for boiled or bottled water include:
- Consuming Drinking Toothbrushing
- Getting food ready
- Cleaning produce and fruits with a rinse
- preparing baby formula
- preparing ice
- Cleaning dishes by hand
- supplying pets with water
Current Warnings for Water
This warning comes after a slew of similar alerts issued across the nation. Due to operational problems and water main breaches, localities in North Carolina, Virginia, South Dakota, and New Mexico were issued precautionary advisories last month.
DC Water has offered rules that residents are asked to adhere to in order to guarantee their safety during this precautionary period. We will send more information as soon as test results are available.
Visit the DC Water website or give them a call at their customer service number for additional information.
