From DC Water:
“** Advisory is Lifted as of 9:00 p.m., June 6, 2026**
DC Water has lifted the precautionary Boil Water Advisory for parts of Upper Northwest DC after testing confirmed the water is safe to drink. All customers in the impacted area may use tap water for all purposes after following the instructions provided below. (more…)
From DC Water:
“The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water) is issuing a Boil Water Advisory today for some customers in Northwest DC that experienced a loss of water pressure on Friday, June 5, 2026, impacting 4,970 customers.
This is a precautionary notice to customers in the impacted neighborhoods to boil water prior to ingesting, due to water of unknown quality in this localized area of the system. Do not drink the water without boiling it first. This advisory will remain in place until follow-up testing confirms the water is safe to drink.
DC Water advises customers to search their address on the interactive map at dcwater.com or call the 24-Hour Command Center at (202) 612-3400 to determine if they are in the impacted neighborhoods of this advisory. Customers in the impacted area should boil water used for drinking and cooking. Customers outside this area can continue normal water use. (more…)
photo by Diane Krauthamer
From DC Water:
“Dry Conditions, above-average temperatures, and below-normal water levels in the Potomac River have prompted a Drought Watch by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ (COG) Drought Coordination Committee. A drought watch is triggered when the entire DC region experiences moderate drought, with current conditions some of the most significant the region has experienced in more than 20 years and underscoring the need for Wise Water use and conservation.
DC Water is monitoring conditions in coordination with COG, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Washington Aqueduct which supplies the District’s drinking water, and other regional water utilities. While DC Water continues to provide safe and reliable drinking water service to customers across the District, prolonged dry weather puts added strain on regional water supplies. That’s why it’s important for everyone to begin taking measures to conserve water. (more…)
From DC Water:
“Starting March 23, DC Water will begin work that helps maintain more than 1,300 miles of water lines across the District. During this time, the disinfectant used in drinking water will temporarily switch from chloramine to chlorine through May 4. This switch helps support overall water quality throughout the year. (more…)
“Dear PoPville,
I can confirm that prices have suddenly skyrocketed 2x-5x. I have already paid almost $2000 dollars in 2026. At the pace I’m going (see attached), I’ll be looking at $10,000 this year.
I live alone and pay $250-$350 a month since October 2025, (more…)
photo by Eric Sidle
From DC Water last night around 10pm:
“Northbound lanes of 14th St NW, from L St to Thomas Circle, remain closed due to the risk of roadway collapse over an abandoned sewer tunnel. Detours are in place. Closure expected through the end of the week, weather permitting. Thx for your patience.”
“Traffic Advisory: Emergency Lane Closures Due to Risk of Collapse—14th Street NW south of Thomas Circle
February 08, 2026
DC Water is taking emergency measures with the immediate and ongoing closure of all northbound lanes of 14th Street between L Street NW and Thomas Circle, due to the imminent risk of collapse posed by an abandoned, century-old, brick-lined sewer tunnel beneath the roadway. (more…)
“Dear PoPville,
This is the second time this has happened in the last few months, and there’s no explanation of why or what they are doing. 8 hours on a Saturday! (more…)
“Update: Clean Rivers Impervious Area Measurements and Implementation Pause
Dear Customer,
We are writing to follow up on a recent letter you received regarding updated measurements used to calculate your Clean Rivers Impervious Area Charge (CRIAC).
We want to begin by acknowledging that our initial communication did not provide enough information or time for you to fully understand the change. We also recognize that for many customers, the primary concern is the impact on their bill. In some cases, updated measurements resulted in significant changes, and we understand how disruptive and frustrating this can feel. (more…)
“Dear PoPville,
What’s going on with DC Water … around the change in impervious area measurements? I got a letter over the holidays with a huge increase, only for DC Water to announce a pause in implementation. Wondering if this was citywide? So much opacity!
I’m confused about who received these letters…I have some friends in NW who did and others who did not. My increase is large, but others are larger. (more…)
Wait, what?!?! Come again now?
From DC Water:
“DC Water Unveils Pure Water DC: A Bold Vision to Strengthen Resilience and Secure a Second Source of Water
DC Water announced the launch of Pure Water DC, a groundbreaking program designed to strengthen the District’s water supply resilience and secure a second source of drinking water for the nation’s capital. This effort comes in response to growing risks posed by reliance on a single water source—the Potomac River—and the Washington Aqueduct, which currently supplies 100% of DC Water’s drinking water.
“Any disruption to the Potomac River or the Aqueduct would have catastrophic consequences—not just for Washington, DC, but for the entire region,” said David L. Gadis, CEO and General Manager of DC Water. “Pure Water DC is planning ahead, investing wisely, and ensuring that our customers, our economy, and our national security are protected. This is not optional—it’s essential.”
To kick off this initiative, DC Water convened a panel discussion along with industry experts, utilities, and federal and state regulators from across the region. The panel explored practical ways to make our water supply more resilient, including advanced water reuse —a growing solution nationwide to address vulnerabilities in the water supply. This method relies on advanced treatment processes to purify water to drinking standards so it can be safely recycled for various purposes.
“Last year’s close call exposed a critical vulnerability, when we came within 30 minutes of exhausting our water supply on the eve of Independence Day —a near crisis that affected nearly a million residents and visitors,” said Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes, Chair of DC Water’s Board of Directors. “We cannot allow that to happen again. Pure Water DC is our answer to ensure water resilience.”
The Pure Water DC strategy lays out a portfolio of solutions to address this vulnerability, including: (more…)