Washington, D.C., and Arlington County, Virginia, have issued a boil water advisory impacting the majority of residents in both areas. The advisory was prompted by concerns over the quality of the water supply and affects customers throughout the jurisdictions. Only those in the Willston Pressure Zone in Arlington, near the intersection of McKinley Road and Wilson Boulevard, are exempt from the advisory.
The precautionary notice advises all customers to boil water before consumption, as the quality of the water is currently unknown. Both D.C. Water and Arlington County have urged residents not to drink the water without boiling it first. The advisory will remain in effect until further testing confirms that the water is safe for consumption.
Arlington County also noted higher levels of turbidity in the water sourced from the Potomac River, which is supplied to both Arlington and Washington, D.C. Turbidity refers to the amount of visible particles in tap water, which can impede the water treatment process. Increased treatment efforts are being implemented at the Aqueduct, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to address the issue.
Residents are advised to discard any beverages or ice made after a specified time and to boil water for at least one minute before using it for drinking, cooking, or other purposes. It is important to allow the water to cool before consuming it or using it for various household tasks. Additionally, the use of home filtering devices as a substitute for boiling water is not recommended.
The situation is still developing, and customers are encouraged to stay informed through updates from local authorities. Taking appropriate precautions, such as boiling water before use, is essential to ensure the safety of residents in both Washington, D.C., and Arlington County during this advisory.