In response to reports of low or no water pressure in Northwest DC, the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water) has issued a precautionary Boil Water Advisory for affected customers. The advisory was put in place on Friday, January 19, 2024, and will remain until follow-up testing ensures the water is safe for consumption.

Customers who have experienced a loss of water pressure are advised to check their address on the interactive map at dcwater.com or contact the 24-Hour Command Center at (202) 612-3400 to determine if they fall within the impacted area. It is crucial for customers in the affected area to boil water intended for drinking and cooking until further notice. However, customers outside the impacted zone can continue to use water as usual.

To ensure water safety, customers in the impact area are urged to follow specific guidelines at this time. If the water appears discolored, cold water should be run until it becomes clear before boiling. Those with known sources of lead should run cold water for two minutes prior to boiling. Once water is brought to a rolling boil for one minute, it should be allowed to cool and stored in a clean, covered container. The usage of home filtering devices is not an alternative to boiled or bottled water.

DC Water has received numerous calls reporting low pressure in Northwest DC on the afternoon of January 19, 2024. Multiple locations within the impacted area have been confirmed to have low pressure. The cause of the pressure loss is still under investigation, and efforts are underway to restore system pressure.

Loss of pressure in the distribution system can lead to backpressure, backsiphonage, or the movement of water from outside the pipe to the inside through cracks, breaks, or joints. These conditions increase the potential for fecal contamination or the entry of other disease-causing organisms. While DC Water has no information suggesting water contamination, the advisory is being issued as a precaution while further testing is conducted.

DC Water will be collecting water samples in the impacted area, and the advisory will be lifted once tests on two consecutive days confirm the absence of bacteria. Normal water use is expected to resume on Sunday, January 21, at the earliest.

Customers are strongly encouraged to share this information with others who may not have received the notice directly. This includes people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses. Contact information for water quality questions, general inquiries, and additional resources is available through the Department of Water Quality, DC Water Customer Service, the 24-Hour Command Center, and the Office of Marketing and Communications.

For those concerned about the availability of safe water during the advisory, the CDC provides guidance on personal preparation, storage of safe water, hygiene, and handwashing. Hands should be washed with clean, running water and soap, ensuring they are thoroughly lathered and dried.

The Boil Water Advisory serves as a proactive measure by DC Water to prioritize the health and safety of impacted customers. Regular updates regarding the situation can be found on DC Water's official website at dcwater.com.