Four Mile Run Contaminant Prompts Warning In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Alexandria cautioned residents and pets to stay away from Four Mile Run for several days after Arlington County located a contaminant upstream Thursday, Oct. 31.

An Arlington County hazmat team responded to the 4200 block of South Four Mile Run Drive near Barcroft Park for a chemical odor. Officials later determined the cause of the spill to be an underground oil tank in the area of South Carlin Springs Road and Columbia Pike.

Residents and pets should avoid contact with the stream for the next 24 to 48 hours. Fishing is not advised until further notice. The advisory is a precaution to allow the stream to naturally flush out the discharge. Crews placed boom filtering devices in the water at different locations along Four Mile Run to contain the spill. There is no impact to drinking water.

If anyone had contact with Four Mile Run and is seeing symptoms like sore throat or eye irritation, seek medical attention.