DC Water continues to modify its operating procedures to minimize the disruption of water services to customers during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Until further notice, DC Water is suspending all planned water shutoffs for non-critical activities such as plumber or developer connections to the water system (including taps and abandonments) and for work associated with capital improvement projects. Crews will only perform water shutoffs when necessary to perform emergency repairs.

This change is in addition to the decision made March 10 to suspend service disconnections for non-payment, to help ensure customers have access to clean water during the current public health crisis. Health officials say washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds helps prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.

For the protection of customers and employees, DC Water has also suspended water and sewer service calls that require employees to enter customers’ homes, except for emergencies. Non-emergency work that is suspended includes scheduled appointments to investigate internal leaks, meter replacements or new meter sets. In addition, meter readers are not entering residential properties to read internal water meters.

DC Water’s Permit Office is now operating on a reduced schedule.  The Permit Office is open to the public between the hours of 8:30 am and 1:00 pm on weekdays, until further notice. All plan review meetings will be held virtually.  If you need to contact the Permit Office, email or telecommunications are recommended in lieu of face-to-face meetings at this time.   

In addition to encouraging non-essential employees to work from home if possible, DC Water is now restricting access to its facilities for visitors except when necessary for business-critical functions.

The public should continue to call and report any suspected emergencies including water main breaks or leaking hydrants to the 24-hour Command Center. Report a problem online at www.dcwater.com/report-problem, call (202) 612-3400 or Tweet us @dcwater.

For more information related to the COVID-19 outbreak, please visit the CDC, EPA and state health department web pages for the latest updates:
 

o CDC

o EPA - Drinking Water and Wastewater FAQs

o District of Columbia Department of Health

o Maryland Department of Health

o Virginia Department of Health