Parts of County Continue Under Alert to Boil Water

Residents in the areas around a water main break in Hyattsville are still urged to boil their water – and may have to do so through Friday.

Tuesday night the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission issued a “Boil Water Advisory” for the following areas:

• Hyattsville
• Bladensburg
• Mt. Rainier
• Cheverly
• Chillum
• Edmonston
• Landover Hills
• Glen Arden
• Fairmount Heights
• Seat Pleasant
• Brentwood

· North Brentwood

An interactive map on WSSC’s website can determine if you are in the affected area. Customers can type in their address in the search box in the upper right corner to find out if they are in the affected area.

When the alert was first issued, authorities estimated the boil advisory would be needed for 48 hours. Workers continue to test the water quality and once all tests are negative for contamination the advisory will be lifted.

About 100,000 customers are affected by the water main break, including some Prince George’s County Public Schools, which are distributing bottled water to students and staff.

The 24-inch water main break occurred on Tanglewood Drive near the alternate US Route 1 in Hyattsville, where crews are on-site making repairs.

The water main was 59 years old, according to the report from the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission.

When part of the water system loses pressure, there’s a risk of contamination, so officials have notified the appropriate health agencies and recommend residents take the following precautions: Bring water before drinking it, giving it to pets, washing dishes with it, brushing teeth, preparing food and making ice.

According to officials, water should be brought to a rolling boil for one minute and cooled before it is acceptable for use.

Photo Credit: Pearl River Patch