Residents of several upper Northwest D.C. neighborhoods have been placed under a boil water advisory following a significant water main break that occurred on Wednesday afternoon. The affected neighborhoods, including Upper Chevy Chase, Ft. Reno, American University, Spring Valley, Friendship Heights, Westover Place, Wakefield, North Cleveland Park, Palisades, Wesley Heights, Foxhall Crescent, Foxhall Village, Hawthorne, Barnaby Woods, and Chevy Chase, have been advised to boil their drinking water until further notice. This precautionary measure follows concerns over potential bacteria and disease-causing contaminants entering the water system due to the loss of water pressure caused by the break.

Approximately 4,800 customers residing in these neighborhoods are impacted by the advisory. Residents can verify if their address falls within the affected area by referring to an interactive map provided by DC Water.

DC Water has clarified that there is currently no evidence of water contamination. However, the boil water advisory has been issued as a preventive measure until testing is conducted on collected samples, and no bacterial presence is detected for two consecutive days, with the earliest possible lifting of the advisory being Friday.

To ensure the safety of the affected residents, DC Water has provided specific guidelines to be followed during this period. Customers are instructed to discard any beverages and ice prepared after 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Additionally, if the water appears discolored, it is recommended to run cold water until it turns clear before boiling. In instances where known sources of lead are present, it is advised to use a NSF/ANSI Standard 53 lead-certified filter prior to boiling. For particle reduction purposes, an NSF/ANSI Standard 42 filter is recommended.

Residents should bring water to a rolling boil for one minute and allow it to cool before consumption. It is advised to store cooled, boiled water in a clean and covered container. Alternatively, the use of bottled water is also recommended during this period.

The boil water advisory will be lifted once testing of samples collected from the impacted area indicates the absence of bacteria for two consecutive days. Residents are urged to follow these guidelines until further notice, ensuring the wellbeing and safety of their households.

DC Water will continue to monitor the situation closely, providing updates as necessary.