Utilities

How often do you have mandatory “water shut-offs”?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Jim Havard

“Dear PoPville,

We absolutely love the Waterfront area and the experience in living in this part of DC has been very positive, however we are having very serious issues with our condominium association. When we moved we were aware the building does a mandatory “water shut-off” in weekdays once every 2 months, this lasts from 9am to about 3pm. We are ok with that, the majority of the time we’ve been at work and it has not affected us.

Fast forward to last year’s pandemic, for safety and health reasons these water shut-offs were temporarily cancelled (fine by us, we work from home now). However in these past few months, we have had multiple water shut-offs (more…)

“I’m curious what other people in DC who live in one bedroom condos are paying for their water bill?”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Rick Trinnes

“Dear PoPville,

I’m curious what other people in DC who live in one bedroom condos are paying for their water bill? My building uses Studebaker Submeter and we all have similar bills of 57.80 for one month of water. Other people in the building have had them come out to check their meters and its’ working fine. I live by myself, take one shower a day and one load of laundry a week. I don’t use the dishwasher. This just seems absurd to have such a high bill but was told DC is upgrading its water plant and all residents are taxed for it.”

“They’re massive”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I presume these are temp towers for the inauguration, but they’re massive. That is the NGA East building in the photo for scale.”

“DC Water participating in a broad, national evaluation of sewage to look for clues to COVID-19 infection hotspots.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Vincent

From DC Water:

“DC Water will join a handful of wastewater treatment agencies across the country by participating in a broad, national evaluation of sewage to look for clues to COVID-19 infection hotspots.

The authority was recently accepted into the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services phase one program and samples will begin to be taken shortly.

David L. Gadis, DC Water Chief Executive Officer and General Manager, said he expects the study to provide valuable information to the federal and District government, to health professionals and to the broader community. (more…)

“I saw a Vespa wipe-out in front of the new Whole Foods on Florida Ave NW because of a major slick of water that is omnipresent in the road.”

By Prince Of Petworth


967 Florida Ave, NW

“Dear PoPville,

I saw a Vespa wipe-out in front of the new Whole Foods on Florida Ave NW because of a major slick of water that is omnipresent in the road. Thankfully the Vespa driver was OK and did not sustain any injuries. Since at least July when Whole Foods opened, water has gently seeped onto the street from a manhole in the middle of Florida Ave, just north of W Street NW. (more…)

“What the heck is going on with Washington Gas??”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I’ve been trying to get in touch with Washington Gas for several days now but their phone system says they’re experiencing higher than normal call volume, keeps you on hold for an hour, and then eventually hangs up on you. Washington Gas tweeted on Nov 10th about the delays but there’s no proposed solution. (I’m not surprised by this, just frustrated.) (more…)

Anyone else having water pressure problems?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Erin

“Dear PoPville,

Anyone else in the area have an issue with water pressure around 14th/R and 15th/R? After a bunch of work was done laying pipes on R street (don’t know if it’s actually related), my water pressure went down. I guess the work on R street has been going on from March to August/September. And during that time up until now, the pressure has changed. If you have a similar issue in the area, what have you done to fix the problem?”

Multiple Reports of Power Outages/Brown Outs Last Night: “I was on my front porch and the entire skyline over near Catholic U/Ft Totten turned green multiple times”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Joanna Hiatt Kim

Ed. Note: If interested in following these events as they unfold – you can follow our twitter feed @PoPville here.

We received the first report at 10:09pm last night (Wednesday):

“Seriously, what’s with the explosion sounds (similar to a generator blowing) that we’ve heard several times in Fort Totten? The power has gone out several times again.”

“Same! We are without power near Fort Totten metro – two or three huge booms tonight. Same thing earlier this morning, but luckily power just flickered then.”

“The loud bangs are continuing. In the past the loud bangs came first, then we lost power. Tonight I only heard the bangs after we lost power. Intermittent sirens somewhere nearby.”

“It’s a transformer or some power line on 12th between Allison and Buchanen, it’s been exploding every couple days. Pepco was working on it earlier today after it happened, but just happened again minutes ago” (more…)

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