Utilities

-Dan Silverman: Citizen of the District of Columbia

1. Obviously the way in which DC Water communicates with customers must be improved.

2. Obviously the way in which DC Water communicates with customers must be improved. Maybe this is a start, you can sign up dc water alerts here.

3. Boiling water sucks.

Photo by Emily

4. Most of us are wholly unprepared for a major emergency. God forbid if the shit ever really does go down – most of us are screwed. We should be prepared to shelter in place for at least 3 days. Go here for more info. Seriously.

5. Some of you weirdos drink shower water for some reason. (more…)

From DC Water:

“UPDATE 8:23 AM 7/15 The boil water advisory has been lifted for all customers. If you were in the affected area, run the cold water taps for 10 minutes (if water was not used at all during the advisory).”

Full release: (more…)

See interactive map here

From DC Water:

“Boil Water Advisory Lifted for Most Customers – Continues for Portions of NE Updated 1:00 P.M. July 14, 2018

DC Water has determined boundaries for a smaller affected area under the boil water advisory. No contamination was detected outside of this area. Customers can view the map above or call the 24-Hour Command Center at (202) 612-3400 to verity if they reside in the affected area. Customers located in the affected area should continue boiling water for drinking and cooking until further notice. Customers that are not located in this area are not affected and can use tap water normally. Customers residing in the previous impact area that are no longer under the boil water advisory should run 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 clean water from the water main.

The smaller impact area includes portions of neighborhoods east of North Capitol Street, including University Heights, Michigan Park, N. Michigan Park, Queens Chapel and Brookland.

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

See the current interactive map here

Update from DC Water:

“Due to a loss of pressure in portions of our distribution system as a result of an open valve at Bryant Street Pumping Station, DC Water issued a Boil Water Advisory early today for approximately 34,000 customers. A new interactive map allows customers to see if they are within the affected area. Out of an abundance of caution, the initial map released early Friday included a larger advisory area. The updated interactive map is more precise, and customers can search by their street address. Customers can also contact Customer Service at 202-354-3600 to verify if a street address is included in the affected area.

Customers should also boil their water if they experienced low water pressure or had no water after 8:30 p.m. on July 12. If customers did not experience low water pressure and do not live in the affected area, customers do not need to boil their water. (more…)

see the interactive map here

Thanks to Missy for sending:

“We now have an interactive map for the boil water alert.”

UPDATE 7/12 11:45 am We now have an interactive map for the boil water alert. Customers can enter their address to see if they are in the impacted area: https://t.co/CtOCYO1r70

— DC Water (@dcwater) July 13, 2018

“Captain Luna Galacticat supervises her human boiling water in NW DC!”

Updates from DC Water on the boil water advisory:

“Update – We anticipate this Boil Water event to last between 24-48 hours. We will share further updates as they come. Residents in the affected area should continue to boil water for drinking and cooking.”

“It is safe to take a bath or shower, but be mindful not to swallow any water.”

Update – We anticipate this Boil Water event to last between 24-48 hours. We will share further updates as they come. Residents in the affected area should continue to boil water for drinking and cooking.

— DC Water (@dcwater) July 13, 2018

From DPR:

“Due to the DC Water boil alert, spray parks and water fountains will be closed at DPR facilities within the impacted area until DC Water lifts their alert.”

From DC WATER:

“The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water) advises customers to boil their water for cooking and drinking until further notice if they live within the area that is bounded by the following:

The north is bounded by Western Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue to Nebraska Avenue to Military Rd to Missouri to New Hampshire Avenue,
To the east by Eastern Avenue,
To the south by New York Ave to K St to Whitehurst Freeway, and
To the west by Canal Road to the Clara Barton Pkwy.

2nd High Boil Water Area (PDF)

Ed. Note: DC Water says on twitter “Filtering is not the same as boiling.”

They should also boil their water if they experienced low water pressure or had no water after 8:30 p.m. on July 12. If customers do not have water service, they are advised to boil water when service is restored. If customers did not experience low water pressure and do not live in the affected area, customers do not need to boil their water.

On Thursday, July 12, at approximately 8:30 p.m., an open valve at Bryant Street Pumping Station resulted in a loss of pressure in portions of our distribution system for about an hour. A loss of pressure in the pipe system makes it possible for contaminants to enter the water. Due to this loss of pressure, as a precaution, affected customers are advised to boil their water until further notice. To minimize risk, customers should follow the instructions outlined below: (more…)