EMERGENCY WATER OUTAGE
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EMERGENCY WATER OUTAGE
Mar 24, 2026 | 02:30 PM

DO NOT DRINK Advisory Lifted for Affected DC Water Customers

December 19, 2014

The DO NOT DRINK advisory has been lifted for affected DC Water customers. Customers in the affected portion of Northwest DC should flush their household or commercial plumbing before using tap water for all purposes. Please see the interactive map at www.dcwater.com or at http://bit.ly/1xrvzFM to review the boundaries of the previous impact area. Responses to frequently asked questions regarding the lifted advisory are available online: https://www.dcwater.com/news/factsheet/pdfs/Dont_Drink_Lift_FAQ.pdf DC Water lifted the DO NOT DRINK advisory after confirming that the drinking water meets Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) drinking water standards. DC Water tested water samples from multiple sites in the affected area after extensive flushing was conducted in the pipe system. IMPORTANT***DC Water and EPA strongly urge you to flush water through your home or building by following the instructions outlined below: Single-Family Homes: • Begin at the sink on the lowest floor and run each cold water tap for 10 minutes. • After 10 minutes, move to upper level sinks and run each cold water tap for 5 minutes. • Flush your refrigerator’s water dispenser for 5 minutes. • Discard any ice that was made during the Do Not Drink advisory. • For automatic ice makers, make and discard one cycle of ice. Commercial and Multifamily Buildings: • Follow same procedure as above AND • Notify all tenants to run every cold water tap for 5 minutes. If you notice a petroleum-type odor after flushing, please notify the Drinking Water Division at 202-612-3440. If you have health concerns, please contact your healthcare provider for advice. 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. DC Water continues to investigate the cause and source of the contamination. During this event, DC Water worked closely with the Environmental Protection Agency, its partners in the District of Columbia, DC Department of Environment, Washington Aqueduct, and the Metropolitan Washington region to communicate with the public and quickly restore water service. Customers with water quality questions should contact DC Water’s Drinking Water Division at 202-612-3440 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). All other questions or suggestions should be directed to DC Water Customer Service at 202-354-3600 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or the 24-Hour Command Center at 202-612-3400. Information is also available atwww.dcwater.com

Latest News

Placeholder DC Water Image

DC Water has completed sludge removal on a section of the C & O Canal between locks 13 and 14, which was used as a bypass to divert wastewater around the collapsed section of the Potomac Interceptor and back into the pipe further downstream. Crews are now constructing an access bridge to this section of the canal to allow soil removal to begin.

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Photo of someone using the tap water with the dates of the annual water line cleaning March 23 - May 4

Spring cleaning isn’t just for closets and cabinets. DC Water’s system gets a refresh too!

Starting March 23, DC Water will begin work that helps maintain more than 1,300 miles of water lines across the District. During this time, the disinfectant used in drinking water will temporarily switch from chloramine to chlorine through May 4. This switch helps support overall water quality throughout the year.

Upcoming Meeting

Board of Directors Meeting

April 24, 2023

Monday 9:00 AM

Announcement

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If you bike, drive, or walk through Georgetown, we’ve got changes starting this week around the Potomac River Tunnel construction on Water Street NW. The Capital Crescent Trail has a new temporary detour through Georgetown Waterfront Park, open now for cyclists between 33rd and Potomac streets NW.

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

Upcoming Events

Customer Service Center Announcement

Payment Plan Incentive: provides a credit back of 50% of the last 3 payments made. 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.