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

Graphic with details for the public hearing on June 23 at 6:30 p.m.

As DC Water’s Board of Directors considers proposed rate increases for the upcoming 2027 and 2028 fiscal years, we’re asking customers to provide feedback during a public hearing on Tuesday, June 23 at 6:30 p.m.

The proposed rate changes would support critical investments in safe, reliable drinking water, replacement of aging water and sewer lines, cleaner local waterways, and continued lead service line replacement across the District.

Photo of LFDC work on a street in the Trinidad NE Neighborhood

Public Encouraged to Provide Comment through June 23

DC residents who want to replace their lead service lines may soon have more options to do it sooner—without having to wait for construction to reach their block.  While the Lead Free DC Program replaces lead service lines at no cost, DC Water has proposed two updates to its program that would make it easier and faster for some residents to get their lead pipes replaced, especially those at higher risk of lead exposure. These proposed changes have been published in the DC Register and are now open for public review. 

Placeholder DC Water Image

DC Water will host a virtual community meeting on Thursday, June 11, 2026, to inform residents and other stakeholders about the emergency rehabilitation of a section of the Potomac Interceptor at Muddy Branch in Potomac, Maryland.

Upcoming Meeting

Board of Directors Meeting

April 24, 2023

Monday 9:00 AM

Announcement

Photo of temporarily relocated section of Piney Branch Parkway
Piney Branch Parkway Section to Reopen Monday, Restoring a Key Route for DC Commuters

Following a 27-day closure, DC Water will reopen a section of Piney Branch Parkway between Arkansas Avenue and Beach Drive NW early Monday morning, restoring an important cross-town connection for thousands of District commuters. During the closure, a section of the road was temporarily relocated for construction of DC Water’s Piney Branch Tunnel Project.

Latest Blog Post
DC Water General Manager and CEO David Gadis recognizes Lily MacDonald during the May Board of Directors meeting.
From Classroom to Community: A Student Spotlight on DC Water's SPLASH Program
A speechwriting assignment became a call to action for water access and affordability through DC Water's SPLASH program.
Upcoming Meeting
Date
July 2, 2026
Thursday, 9:30 AM

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.