So, Shepherd Park, remember that small matter of a water inconvenience from earlier today? It just got inconvient-er. The DC Water and Sewer Authority just sounded the alarm: The drop in water pressure experienced in the area may have meant for a loss in water pressure entirely for Shepherd Park -- which could indicate a water-quality problem for an area comprising 750 buildings. People who make a habit of drinking water within the affected area -- which I've bounded off in googlemap above -- are advised to take precautionary steps to avoid contact with potentially contaminated water.
WASA recommends that people in the affected area dispose of any food made using tap water since 11 a.m. today. Until further notice, Shepherd Park residents should boil water for drinking, washing dishes, brushing teeth, making ice, or making food. Alternatively, residents may use bottled water in place of tap water. WASA does not say what will happen if you consume contaminated water, but if you need any motivation, here is the CDC fact sheet on Giardia.
Pamela Mooring, public affairs coordinator for WASA, expects the boil-water advisory to hold for this area for 48 hours, while WASA officials conduct water-quality testing.
UPDATE: WASA manager for water quality Rich Giani says that bacterial intrusion represents the greatest threat when pressure is lost. Leaks along a pressurized line could mean that bacteria from the soil, or in some cases from a customer's home, could be drawn into the pipe. Giani said that when water comes through the repressurized pipe again, it's disinfected. After WASA fields negative tests for contamination over two consecutive days, the water will be ruled good (well, normal) and the caution advisory will be lifted.
UPDATE II: Mooring called to reiterate that WASA believes that water in the area is not likely contaminated but that residents should still follow those tips as a precaution.
Source: DCist
This morning I checked the Brightwood Listserve and read that several Brightwood residents had little to no water pressure yesterday. Lucky, a few of us have been in contact with WASA and received messages about the water pump in Shepherd Park the water should be safe to drink but I would follow precautions just in case.
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