Boil-water advisories lifted in D.C., Arlington
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D.C. and Arlington County officials issued alerts early Thursday that a precautionary boil water advisory across the region had been lifted.
Why it matters: Residents can go back to the tap and Brita for now.
- Residents across the entire city and all of Arlington County had been advised late Wednesday to boil water for one minute before drinking it or using it in food prep.
Driving the news: The Army Corps of Engineers discovered turbidity issues with water supplied by the Washington Aqueduct, per DC Water.
- Turbidity — or water clarity — can indicate that disease-causing organisms are in the water.
- "These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea and associated headaches," the agency said. "They may pose a greater health risk for infants, young children, the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems."
The big picture: Bottled water is the best option while such advisories are in effect, per Arlington officials.
What to do: DC Water said cooled, boiled water or bottled water should be used for:
- Drinking & food prep including preparing infant formula and feeding pets
- Ice making
- Brushing teeth
- Dishwashing
Officials also advised discarding drinks or ice made after 9 p.m. on Wednesday night.
- Run cold water before boiling.
- Boil for 1 minute, then let it cool.
- Store cooled water in a clean, covered container.
The end of the boil-water order was expected to "hinge on the 'conditions on the Potomac, the amount of rainfall' and the Washington Aqueduct's ability to manage turbidity," per a DC Water spokesperson's comment to the Washington Post.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect the advisory had been lifted.