Alert: Don't Drink DC Water Without Boiling, City Warns

WASHINGTON, DC -- The District of Columbia is warning residents in large parts of the city to boil water for the next 24 to 48 hours after a problem at a city pumping station.

It all started late Thursday night, when D.C. water tweeted just before 11 p.m. that there had been a temporary problem at the Bryant Street pumping station that caused the water pressure to drop. While the issue has been fixed, D.C. Water decided to issue a boil water alert for affected areas as a precaution.

If you are having issues loading our website, here is a screen grab of the map of affected areas. pic.twitter.com/LyDt6MYlO3
— DC Water (@dcwater) July 13, 2018

D.C. Water tells customers not to rely on filters or water from any appliance connected to water lines, meaning you should use boiled or bottled water for drinking, brushing your teeth, preparing and cooking food, making ice, preparing infant formula, or water for your pets. It is, however, safe to take a bath or shower as long as you don't swallow the water.

"We anticipate this Boil Water event to last between 24-48 hours," D.C. Water tweeted. "We will share further updates as they come. Residents in the affected area should continue to boil water for drinking and cooking."

(Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images)