EMERGENCY WATER MAIN REPAIR
Feb 08, 2026 | 05:30 AM

EMERGENCY WATER MAIN REPAIR
Feb 08, 2026 | 04:30 AM

EMERGENCY WATER MAIN REPAIR
Feb 08, 2026 | 04:00 AM

DC Water Taste Test Challenge Series: Tap Water versus Bottled Water

August 21, 2012

Can you tell a difference between tap water and bottled water? Test your drinking water preferences and learn how you can save money and the environment by choosing clean, affordable DC tap water.

DC Water is promoting tap water, protecting the environment and saving people money. Hundreds of water samples are tested each week throughout the District to ensure the delivery of high quality tap water. Bottled water involves significant economic and environmental costs. DC tap water is only a penny per gallon and bottled water costs 100 times more.

Join DC Water during a series of blind taste tests that will challenge people’s knowledge about tap water. Taste test challenges are scheduled in each Ward of the District.

Who:
DC Water Team Blue

When:
Every Wednesday between August 22 – October 10, 2012
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (weather permitting)

Where:
Ward 1 – October 10, 2012
Columbia Heights Metro
3030 14th Street, NW

Ward 2 – August 22, 2012
Sweetgreen
2221 I Street, NW

Ward 3 – August 29, 2012
Whole Foods (Tenley Circle)
4530 40th Street, NW

Ward 4 – September 5, 2012
Petworth Metro
3700 Georgia Avenue, NW

Ward 5 – September 12, 2012
Home Depot
901 Rhode Island Avenue, NE

Ward 6 – September 19, 2012
Southwest Waterfront
1100 4th Street, SW

Ward 7 – September 26, 2012
Penn-Branch Shopping Center
3220 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE

Ward 8 – October 3, 2012
Ward 8 Constituent Building
2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE

Latest News

Trench boxes at construction site for new pit accessing Potomac Interceptor Upstream

DC Water and its contractors continue to make progress constructing new access points to the Potomac Interceptor, one upstream of the damaged section, and an additional entry downstream to divert more wastewater flow from the pipe. These access points will allow crews to install a bulkhead, blocking flow in the pipe upstream of the collapsed area, keeping the site as dry as possible so crews can safely remove an extensive rock dam currently blocking the pipe.

Photo of giant rock and boulder removed

DC Water is releasing new findings regarding the environmental impacts following the January 19, collapse in a section of the Potomac Interceptor. Based on flow monitoring data collected before and after interim bypass pumping was activated, DC Water estimates approximately 243 million gallons of wastewater has overflowed from the collapse site.

Image of rock blockage taken by CCTV inside the Potomac Interceptor downstream of the collapse

Update on Extended Repairs, Safety Measures, and Water Quality Monitoring

Overnight CCTV inspection of the Potomac Interceptor revealed the blockage inside the collapsed sewer line is far more significant, showing a large rock dam stretching approximately 30 feet downstream of the original failure.

Upcoming Meeting

Board of Directors Meeting

April 24, 2023

Monday 9:00 AM

Announcement

Map of lane closure
Traffic Advisory: Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway NW Lane Closure Beginning Jan 19

Beginning on or about January 19, 2026, weather permitting, DC Water will implement a temporary lane closure on Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway NW b

Latest Blog Post
A helicopter lowers a drill rig to workers on the Potomac River.
DC Water begins drilling in Potomac River to explore options to rehab underwater sewer line
When one of your major sewer lines runs through the Potomac River, a backhoe and trencher won't do. That's why we've got helicopters carrying a 14-ton drill and workers suspended midair over the Potomac.
Upcoming Meeting
Date
February 19, 2026
Thursday, 9:30 AM

Upcoming Events

Customer Service Center Announcement

Payment Plan Incentive: provides a credit back of 40% of the last 3 payments made and in the new fiscal year 50% will be credited. Eligible participants are residential customers who have had an outstanding balance for 60 days or greater and with an outstanding balance of $500 or more.