A boil water advisory has been issued for Washington, DC, and Arlington County in Virginia due to an increase in algae blooms in the Potomac River. This advisory comes as the nation's capital gears up for its annual Fourth of July celebrations. The affected areas include Washington, Arlington County, the Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery, and Reagan National Airport.
The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority has advised customers to boil water that may be ingested due to water of unknown quality. It is recommended not to drink the water without boiling it first. DC Water suggests using cooled, boiled water or bottled water for drinking, giving water to pets, preparing infant formula, brushing teeth, making ice, and washing and preparing food. Home filtering devices should not be used as a substitute for boiled or bottled water.
DC Water has also urged people to discard drinks and ice made after 9 p.m. Wednesday. The Army Corps of Engineers stated that the advisory was issued due to elevated cloudiness in the water supply caused by increased algae blooms in the Potomac River. Turbidity, which is a measure of cloudiness in water, can indicate the presence of organisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause health issues like nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and headaches.
Infants, young children, older adults, and individuals with compromised immune systems may be at greater risk. While there is no confirmation that the water is contaminated, the precautionary advisory will remain in place until follow-up testing can confirm the safety of the water for consumption. Arlington County has stated that its advisory will be in effect until further notice.
Atlanta faced a similar situation last month when disruptions to its water service led to boil-water advisories, resulting in a state of emergency. Aging pipes and deteriorating infrastructure were cited as contributing factors to the issue.
