In a sudden twist of city routine, DC Water has issued a precautionary boil water advisory for over 4,900 customers across upper Northwest Washington, D.C., after a power failure disrupted pressure at a key pump station. While water flow has returned, the risk of contamination lingers, urging residents to boil water before use. The advisory spans 11 prominent neighborhoods, as health concerns rise over possible bacteria and viruses in the system. Authorities say testing is underway—but until cleared, the boiling pot stays part of daily life.

📌 STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• DC Water issues Boil Water Advisory for upper Northwest DC

• Triggered by power outage at a water pump station on June 12

• Roughly 4,929 customers impacted across 11 neighborhoods

• Boiled or bottled water recommended for all household use

• Advisory remains until testing clears water for safe use

• Customers can check addresses via DC Water’s map or helpline

Residents across parts of upper Northwest Washington, D.C., are being urged to boil their tap water before using it for any kind of consumption, following an unexpected infrastructure issue that disrupted local water pressure. On Thursday, June 12, 2025, the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (commonly known as DC Water) issued a precautionary Boil Water Advisory affecting more than 4,900 customers after a power outage at one of its pump stations.

Though the water pressure has since been restored and electricity has returned to the affected station, DC Water is taking no chances. As a standard public safety measure, customers are being advised not to drink or cook with tap water without first boiling it, as there is a temporary concern about the quality of the water in the affected system.

Neighborhoods Under Advisory

The affected communities span a wide swath of upper Northwest DC, including some of the city’s most populated residential and commercial neighborhoods. The impacted areas are:
Chevy Chase DC, Friendship Heights, Tenleytown, AU Park, Spring Valley, Cleveland Park, Woodley Park, Van Ness, Glover Park, Wesley Heights, and Cathedral Heights.

Residents are encouraged to check their address on the interactive map available at dcwater.com or call the 24-Hour Command Center at (202) 612-3400 for confirmation. This precaution is especially important for households with children, elderly members, or anyone with weakened immunity.

What Caused the Advisory?

According to DC Water officials, the issue began in the afternoon of June 12, when one of the authority’s key pump stations lost power unexpectedly. This power failure caused a shutdown in pumping operations and resulted in a drop in water pressure across parts of the system.

When water pressure drops significantly, there is an increased risk of backpressure or backsiphonage — scenarios where contaminants from outside the pipe network might seep in through cracks, leaks, or compromised joints in the system. This risk, while not confirmed to have caused contamination, is serious enough to warrant preventive actions.

Such occurrences are not unique to DC. Aging infrastructure and unpredictable power interruptions often go hand-in-hand, and authorities are compelled to act swiftly to prevent potential public health threats. Although the water pressure has now been restored, DC Water must complete thorough testing before officially lifting the advisory.

What You Should Do if You’re Affected

Until further notice, residents in the advisory area must boil their water before use — even if it appears clear. Authorities have laid out detailed instructions to help residents ensure safety in daily household routines:

• Discard all beverages and ice created after 2:27 p.m. on Thursday, June 12.

• If your tap water is discolored, run cold water until it becomes clear.

• If your home has known lead plumbing, run cold water for two minutes before boiling.

• Bring water to a rolling boil for at least one full minute, then let it cool.

• Store boiled and cooled water in clean, covered containers.

Use only boiled or bottled water for:

• Drinking and brushing teeth

• Cooking and preparing meals

• Washing fruits and vegetables

• Making ice or baby formula

• Washing dishes by hand

• Giving water to pets

Importantly, residents should not rely on home filtration systems, as these are not guaranteed to eliminate all pathogens. Boiling remains the safest method.

Health Risks and Who Should Be Cautious

DC Water has underscored that while no contamination has been officially detected, the temporary drop in pressure could allow bacteria, viruses, or parasites into the water system. These microorganisms can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps, or headaches.

While these symptoms can arise from various causes, residents experiencing persistent illness are urged to seek medical advice, especially those who fall into more vulnerable categories — including infants, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

For most residents, the precautionary advisory is just that — a preventive step. However, those at greater health risk are advised to consult healthcare providers before using tap water in any form, even after boiling, to ensure maximum safety.

What’s Next?

As of now, DC Water continues to monitor water quality in the affected zones through rigorous testing. The advisory will remain active until laboratory results confirm that water quality meets safety standards.

Further updates will be communicated directly through DC Water’s official website, customer service line, and local news channels. Until then, affected residents are expected to continue following all safety guidelines issued under the advisory.

For a city that has long dealt with the challenges of infrastructure strain, this incident serves as a reminder of how critical routine maintenance and emergency preparedness remain in safeguarding essential services like drinking water.

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.

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