WASHINGTON, DC – THIS IS AN UPDATE

The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC WASA) is advising customers in a specific area of Northwest not to use water until further notice because of a higher-than-normal chlorine concentration.

This means they should not shower with, drink, cook with or wash clothing with the water. Water should be used for flushing toilets only.

Also, this is due to an event that occurred this morning. This is not in relation to the normal, temporary disinfectant switch from chloramines to chlorine that takes place each spring. Customers in the affected area should not use the water.

The UPDATED boundaries of the area in question are indicated below.

West Boundary: Western Avenue, NW
North Boundary: River Road, NW
East Boundary: Connecticut Avenue, NW
South Boundary Nebraska Avenue, NW

Customers will be notified by the same means when the advisory is lifted. That is expected to occur later today.

The spike happened early this morning at DC WASA’s unmanned Fort Reno facility when it was offline for routine maintenance disinfection. At 7:30 this morning, operators at the DC WASA Bryant Street Pump Station identified a drop in the reservoir at Fort Reno, which indicated the possibility of a chlorine spike. DC WASA immediately dispatched staff to confirm a higher-than-normal chlorine concentration in the water, which they determined had happened at approximately 5 a.m.

Customers who used water with excess chlorine may have noticed taste and odor problems. While unlikely, the chlorine may also cause a reaction in individuals with sensitive skin. Anyone who observes such a reaction should contact a physician.

Some people who use water containing chlorine well in excess of the Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL) (regulatory standard) could experience irritating effcts to their eyes and nose. Some people who drink water containing chlorine well in excess of the MRDL could experience stomach discomfort.

DC WASA notified the United States Environmental Protection Agency Region III immediately upon learning of the chlorine spike. Water-quality crews are monitoring the system across the entire affected area and will advise the public when the water supply has returned to normal. Our staff is also assessing the causes of the problem.

<b>For more information, please call DC WASAs 24-hour Emergency Center at 202-612-3400.</b>