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 deliver water.

“Protecting the health and safety of our customers is paramount in providing reliable water service to the District of Columbia,” said David L. Gadis, General Manager and CEO of DC Water. “We’re sorry for any inconvenience this caused, but we will always put our customers’ safety first during these types of events.”

DC Water lifted the boil water advisory after tests confirmed that drinking water meets all water quality safety standards. DC Water tested water samples from multiple sites in the affected area and has verified that the there is no risk of water contamination from the loss of pressure.

Please see the interactive map at www.dcwater.com or call the 24-Hour Command Center at (202) 612-3400 to verify if your address was in the affected area.

Customers residing in the previously affected area should take the following precautions before returning to normal water usage:

• Run the cold water taps for 10 minutes (if water was not used at all during the advisory).
• Discard food or ice prepared with water that was not boiled between 8:30 p.m. on July 12 and 8:30 a.m., on July 15, 2018
• Consult the owner’s manual to find out how to sanitize appliances and home filtration systems if used during the advisory.

On July 14, DC Water received one positive test from a sampling hydrant in the affected area. On July 15, subsequent testing did not detect the presence of coliform bacteria contamination.  

On July 12, an open valve at Bryant Street Pumping Station resulted in a loss of pressure in portions of our distribution system for about an hour. The loss of pressure in the pipe system made it possible for contaminants to enter the water.

Please share this information with your friends and neighbors, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this public notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

Please read this FAQ for action following the Boil Water Advisory.  

DC Water will work with customers to answer questions and respond to additional issues following the Boil Water Advisory. Customers with water quality questions should contact the Drinking Water Division at (202) 612-3440 (Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.).

All other questions or suggestions should be directed to DC Water Customer Service at 202-354-3600 (Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.) or the 24-Hour Command Center at (202) 612-3400. Information is also available at www.dcwater.com.