Potentially thousands of water customers across parts of Northwest D.C. and eastern Arlington County are being told to boil their water on Saturday after a water main broke in Virginia.
As the precautionary advisory stretches into a second day, here's are answers to some frequently asked questions.
Why Is There a Boil Water Advisory?
A 36-inch water main broke in Virginia early Friday. The force of the break buckled a roadway and sucked water pressure out of the pipes connected to Dalecarlia Water Treatment Plant in Virginia.
“The problem is our water supply is all interconnected, so when the pipe broke in Arlington sometime in the middle of the night, it resulted in a drop of pressure that we experienced here at our pump in Fort Reno,” Vincent Morris of DC Water said.
The loss of water pressure that occurred after the main broke could allow bacteria into the pipes in parts of Northwest D.C. and Arlington, officials said.
Where Is the Boil Water Advisory in Effect?
The boil water advisory affects residencies and businesses in parts of Northwest D.C. and eastern Arlington.
DC Water customers in a significant area of Upper Northwest, west of Rock Creek Park, were advised to boil their water.
Some areas of Arlington County, Virginia, are also affected. Those areas include Rosslyn, Clarendon and more. Here's a map.
Do I Need to Boil Water for All Uses?
You should boil your water for drinking, brushing teeth, feeding pets, washing fruits and vegetables, making ice or preparing coffee, tea, baby formula and other drinks — any use that could introduce a possible contamination to your body.
Household dishwashers are generally safe to use, if the final rinse cycle temperature reaches at least 150 degrees.
If washing dishes by hand, prepare a sinkfull or bin of water with one teaspoon of unscented household bleach. Soak rinsed dishes in the mixture for one minute, then air dry before use, Arlington officials advise.
Baby bottles and nipples should be washed in boiled water.
You don't need to boil water for doing laundry, bathing or washing your hands with soap, but don't swallow any untreated water.
How Do I Treat My Tap Water?
Because there's a risk of contamination, both Arlington and D.C. officials advise bringing water to rolling boil for one ot three minutes. Let it cool before use.
You can boil your water in the microwave — make sure it's at a full boil for at least one minute.
Household water filters are not an adequate substitution for boiling, because most don't remove bacteria or viruses.
When Will the Advisory End?
Testing is underway to determine whether the tap water is safe to drink. DC Water says the advisory is expected to last into Sunday.
How Many People Are Affected?
DC Water says 6,000 customers are affected — but since an entire apartment builidng is often counted as one customer, an exact number of people under the order is unclear.
Is My Water Contaminated?
The loss of pressure created a risk of bacteria or pathogens entering the pipes, but so far there's not evidence that the water supply was contaminated. Tests are underway to determine safety.
Arlington officials said they issued the advisory out of an abundance of caution.
What If I Drank Tap Water Without Boiling It?
If you drank the water and then experienced symptoms of gastro-intestinal illness, then see your family physician or health care provider.
Is It Safe to Eat at Restaurants?
Restaurants are required to follow the boil water order. If you visit a restaurant in the affected area, ask if servers and cooks followed these rules.
"Water" - Google News
November 09, 2019 at 07:50PM
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FAQ: What to Know About the Boil Water Advisory in NW DC, Arlington - NBC4 Washington
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