DC Water

“Old DC Water Pipes – What are we really drinking?”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

This is a bit long, but I’m reaching out to you about the water pipes in DC in hopes that a fellow Washingtonian might have successfully resolved a similar issue and could offer some guidance! As we hear from the water reports, DC Water has high standards for tap water, drinking straight out of the sink faucet is encouraged. DC Water provides annual water quality results, but data collection sample location is not clear. We stopped drinking the water because of the elevated iron levels. To “mitigate” the situation, DC Water flushes the main hydrant by our house multiple times a week to improve the iron (and chlorine levels), it doesn’t appear any solution such as replacement of corroded pipes (the culprit) will come in our lifetime. We don’t drink or cook with tap water and spend $300+ monthly on water delivery on top of the water consumption for laundry, showers etc. Below is the (long-ish) backstory, I hope to receive some much needed guidance! (more…)

About that Neon Green in the Creek, it was indeed a dye test done by DC Water “The dye will dissipate and is harmless.”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Lisa Kralovic

OK about that neon green spotted in the creek over the weekend, DC Water explains:

“It was our dye test. Our Sewer Operations team is following up on flooding in the 3900 block of Military Road during a recent storm, investigating the link between a drain in the neighborhood and the storm sewer infrastructure. The dye will dissipate and is harmless.”

“Boil Water Advisory lifted for all customers”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Phil

From DC Water:

“Este aviso y más información están también disponibles en www.dcwater.com, y preguntas frecuentes bilingües se encuentran en www.dcwater.com/BWALiftSpanishFAQ.

All DC Water customers in the impact area under the boil water advisory can use tap water for all purposes after following the instructions provided below.

DC Water issued the boil water advisory as a conservative measure to protect public health, and we sincerely appreciate our customers’ patience while we took necessary precautions to ensure the safety of the tap water we deliver. (more…)

DC Water Lifts Boil Advisory for Many Affected But “Continues For Roughly 4,200 Customers in Northeast”

By Prince Of Petworth


view the interactive map

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Following two consecutive days of clear samples for most of the Advisory area, DC Water is lifting the Boil Water Advisory for a portion of the impacted area. DC Water has determined boundaries for a smaller impacted area which will remain under a Boil Water Advisory until two consecutive days of clear samples are obtained. Customers can view the interactive map or call the 24-Hour Command Center at (202) 612-3400 to verify if their residence falls within the area still affected. Customers located in the impacted area should continue boiling water for drinking and cooking until further notice.

Customers who are not located in this updated Advisory area can use tap water after running cold-water taps for 10 minutes before returning to normal water usage. Running the cold-water tap will replace water sitting in pipes during the advisory with fresh water from the water main.

The impact area which remains under an Advisory includes portions of neighborhoods in Queens Chapel, Michigan Park, North Michigan Park, Chillum Station and Terra Cotta.

It is anticipated sample results for the remaining impact area will be analyzed by Sunday morning, August 8.

Customers still affected by the boil water advisory should continue to follow these precautions: (more…)

DC Water Issues Boil Water Advisory for parts of Northeast DC

By Prince Of Petworth

From DC Water:

“The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water) is issuing a Boil Water Advisory today for some customers after a temporary loss of pressure in the late afternoon of August 4, 2021. DC Water advises customers to not drink or cook with their water without boiling it first if they are in the impact area which includes the neighborhoods of Edgewood, Brookland, Fort Lincoln, Woodridge, Queens Chapel, Michigan Park and North Michigan Park. The impact area is generally: (more…)

Meanwhile on Connecticut Ave

By Prince Of Petworth


Connecticut and Jefferson Pl, NW

From AlertDC:

“MPD reports the 1200 Block of Connecticut Avenue NW is closed until further notice for water service repairs. Please use an alternate route.”

Thanks to AJ for sending around 12:35pm.

And Mike: (more…)

“$156 Million Loan to DC Water to Accelerate Critical Infrastructure Repairs”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Tim Brown

From DC Water:

“At an event with Washington D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser, U.S. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, D.C. Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, DC Water Chief Executive Officer and General Manager David L. Gadis, and other local officials, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan announced a $156 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water). This loan will help finance water infrastructure improvements throughout the city, including new water mains to improve drinking water quality and reduce service disruptions resulting from breaks in aged pipes. (more…)

And in another Sign of Spring – Your Tap Water Might Start Smelling a Pool Soon

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Pablo Raw

Fear not, it’s just the annual spring cleaning!

From DC Water:

“The District of Columbia, Arlington County and northeastern Fairfax County will clean out their tap water network starting Monday–a safe, annual process. Water service continues uninterrupted during the process, which runs from April 5 through May 17. During that time, drinking water may smell or taste slightly different. (more…)

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