Utilities

“In the heart of Washington, D.C., Keya Chatterjee and her family live off the energy produced from a single solar panel.”

By Prince Of Petworth

From The Atlantic:

“In the heart of Washington, D.C., Keya Chatterjee and her family live off the energy produced from a single solar panel. It started in 2006, when Chatterjee and her husband had a fight with their electrical company. They were so tired of the astronomical bills that they stopped power to their home and spent the entire winter living without heating or electricity—essentially camping in their own home. After a frigid few months, they installed the solar panel and returned to Pepco, but now they supply energy to the grid rather than using it. Today, Chatterjee’s life runs on solar energy, she takes public transportation everywhere, and she’s figured out how to live with as little consumption as possible.”

“FYI for renters with Pepco!”

By Prince Of Petworth

pepco

“Dear PoPville,

FYI for renters with Pepco:

My roommate and I have had a problem with our Pepco bill being ridiculously high since we moved into our 2 bedroom 1,100 sq ft apartment in November. We moved from a 2,600 sq ft house with 5 people and 4 floors, and have been paying as much and sometimes more in our tiny place every single month. My roommate and I are rarely home on the weekends, turn off all our lights during the day, and sometimes are gone for weeks at a time, and our Pepco bill was continuing to rise. We even decided to turn our thermostat to “off” one month and sweated every night trying to lower the bill, and the bill went UP the next month. We also noticed we had an uncategorized amount charged on our bill each month called “Other” that didn’t fit into our energy usage categories. Three separate Pepco customer service agents were not able to tell us what this “other” category was and why we were paying $50+ a month for this uncategorized area. (more…)

“DC Water’s required lead testing program mark the lowest lead levels measured in more than a decade”

By Prince Of Petworth

good water
Photo by PoPville flickr user District Shots

In happier water news:

“Recent results from DC Water’s required lead testing program mark the lowest lead levels measured in more than a decade. Levels have continued to decline since 2004, when the water treatment process began including a corrosion control additive to reduce lead release in water. Since 2003, DC Water has replaced more than 20,000 lead service pipes on public property, representing the removal of nearly 118 miles of lead pipes that connect public water mains to household plumbing. DC Water replaces lead service pipes during water main upgrades or when customers choose to replace their portion of the service pipe on private property. DC Water reminds customers that lead sources are different in each property and urges residents to eliminate lead pipes and plumbing materials in their homes. (more…)

“First, absolute shout out to Pepco & Pepco workers. Second, what on earth is going on and when will it be over?”

By Prince Of Petworth

power outage

A reader reports Sunday night:

“We are moving into hour 48+ of Pepco response at 14 & V. That large vehicle on left, partially obscured by tree, says “diesel” on side. That, and the constant very loud engine noise over the last 24+ hours, and we have surmised that they are powering the building on the corner with a generator.

First, absolute shout out to Pepco & Pepco workers. There has been a large team in yellow safety vests all weekend, working around the clock, in long pants and horrible heat – and every time I’ve looked out my window they have been working their butts off. Pepco even apparently brings in food and refreshments, as there are tents set up with buffet and stacks of drinks. Very much exceeded my expectations in terms of big energy company taking care of workers, and workers working tail off all weekend.

Second, what on earth is going on and when will it be over? I’ve searched online and everything seems to say resolved – but the fact that V street is still closed to traffic, diesel generator still pumping, and yellow vests still swarming begs to differ.
Any news?”

Update: Restored. Power Outage Hits 900 in SW and SE near Nats Park

By Prince Of Petworth

powerout
via pepco

From ALERT DC:

“Pepco reports a power outage in the District, impacting approximately 900 customers in the SE and SW quadrants. Estimated restoration time is 11AM. Affected customers can call PEPCO at 1-877-737-2662”

Update at 1:15pm: “Pepco reports power has been restored in the impacted neighborhoods of the SE and SW quadrants of the District.”

1900 Lose Power in Petworth “no estimated restoration time”

By Prince Of Petworth

pepco

From DC Alerts:

“Pepco reports a power outage in the District, impacting approximately 1900 customers in the Petworth neighborhood. There’s no estimated restoration time is at this time. Please take all precautions.”

Update:

“Pepco reports the Petworth neighborhood power outage affected population has decreased significantly (under 20 customers). The approximate restoration time is 7pm.”

Power Outage “impacting approximately 1500 customers in the following neighborhoods: Carver, Langston, Columbia Heights and Near Northeast”

By Prince Of Petworth

pepco

From Alert DC:

“Pepco reports multiple power outages in the District, impacting approximately 1500 customers in the following neighborhoods: Carver, Langston, Columbia Heights and Near Northeast. Estimated restoration time is unknown, however Pepco is working to resolve each outage. Updates to follow.”

Check this Map to see if you have lead service lines coming into your house

By Prince Of Petworth

dc water
via DC Water

This is pretty great (jump directly to the Map here) – from DC Water:

“Lead service lines were predominately installed prior to the mid-1950s in the District of Columbia, but there are records of lead service lines being installed as late as 1977. You can use the map at right to see if your property has or might have a lead service line, based on DC Water’s records and other available information. (more…)

Dear PoP – Why does a swimming pool come out of my faucet?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo from PoPville flickr user hellomarkers!

“Dear PoP,

I’ve noticed for the past few months that the water in my apartment smells very very strongly of chlorine. When I take a shower, it smells like I got out of the pool, when I cook with the water straight from the tap, my food tastes off. I’m now filtering all the water I use for drinking and cooking, but the brita filter’s not strong enough to remove the chlorine smell. At first my roommate and I thought it was just us, but I’ve noticed it at friends’ houses, and now one of my co-workers who also lives in northwest just mentioned it at his place.

Is this a sign of something horrendous in the DC water supply that they’re trying to cover up with chlorine? An attempt to destroy the city’s sense of smell? Is it dangerous to be ingesting this much chlorine?

Does anyone know the reason for it?”

I know folks have been mentioning this in some random reader rant and/or revel posts. But I can’t recall – did anyone ever figure out the reason? WASA?

I’ve heard folks talking about this Adams Morgan, Columbia Heights and Dupont but I haven’t noticed it in Petworth. Is this phenomena city wide?

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