Officials announced a water boil advisory for Washington D.C. and sections of Arlington, Va., late Wednesday as the region braces for the annual Fourth of July festivities.
🚨#BREAKING [1]: Emergency officials have just issued a Boil water advisory for the entirety of Washington, DC
📌#Washington [2] | #DC [3]
Emergency officials have issued a boil advisory for the entirety of Washington, DC, including the Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery, and Reagan… pic.twitter.com/JsLEC9oO4H [4]
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) July 4, 2024 [5]
The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority cited concerns over the water supply’s quality, prompting the cautionary measure. The advisory encompasses key locations such as the Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery, and Reagan National Airport and will remain in place until deemed safe for consumption.
Residents are instructed to boil water for at least one minute before use in various activities, including cooking, dental hygiene, and pet care. The decision to issue the advisory follows a reduction in operations at the Dalecarlia Water Treatment Plant by the Army Corps of Engineers due to increased turbidity caused by algae blooms. While turbidity does not pose immediate health risks, it could impede disinfection processes and foster microbial growth.
DC Water stressed the absence of confirmed contamination but urged adherence to the advisory as a precautionary step. Additional guidelines advise against relying solely on home filtration systems, discarding beverages made after 9 p.m., and following specific lead-related precautions, if applicable.
From DC Water [6]:
Customers should:
•    Discard any beverages and ice made after 9 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3, 2024.
•    Run cold water prior to boiling.
•    Run cold water for 2 minutes if known sources of lead are present prior to boiling.
•    Bring water to a rolling boil for 1 minute and let it cool.
•    Store cooled water in a clean, covered container.Cooled, boiled water or bottled water should be used for:
•    Drinking
•    Brushing teeth
•    Preparing and cooking food
•    Washing fruits and vegetables
•    Preparing infant formula
•    Making ice
•    Washing dishes by hand
•    Giving water to pets
*Do not use home filtering devices in place of boiled or bottled water.
The advisory is set to remain in effect until water tests confirm its safety for consumption. Officials noted that the duration of the precaution will be contingent on factors such as weather conditions and the water supply’s restoration process. Arlington County residents are advised to monitor the county website for updates regarding potential water quality issues.