Residents across a large portion of Arlington County, Virginia, are being urged to boil their water after a water main break has left many without service and shuttered nine schools Friday morning.
Residents across a large portion of Arlington County, Virginia, are being urged to boil their water after a water main break has left many without service and shuttered nine schools Friday morning.
The boil water advisory covers several neighborhoods, including parts of Alcova Heights, Arlington Heights, Arlington Mill, Arlington View, Barcroft, Claremont, Columbia Forest, Columbia Heights, Douglas Park, Forest Glen, Foxcroft Heights, Green Valley, Fairlington, Penrose and Shirlington.
The county has posted an interactive map of the affected area online.
The Arlington Department of Environmental Services told WTOP crews are currently working to repair a large 16-inch main break that occurred on South Four Mile Run Drive and South Walter Reed Drive.
The break caused drops in water pressure across the county, and the recommendation to boil water before using it is a safety measure due to the depressurization of in the water system.
County authorities recommend bringing water to a rolling boil for at least one minute and then cooling for any water that is used for drinking, brushing teeth, washing fruits and vegetables and giving to pets.
The water is safe to use for showering and washing clothes.
The advisory will be in effect for at least 48 hours, under Virginia Department of Health requirements.
9 schools closed
The water main break has caused multiple closures on Walter Reed Drive between South Four Mile Run Drive and South Monroe Street.
In Arlington, Walter Reed Dr btwn S Four Mile Run Rd & S Monroe St, extended closure expected for water main repair. Plan an alternate route now. Tune to 103.5 FM and https://t.co/Trjju7KegD for details on the 8s #dctraffic #vatraffic pic.twitter.com/5oLooEsFS2
— WTOP Traffic (@WTOPtraffic) June 7, 2024
A spokesperson for the department initially told WTOP about 500 people were affected by the water main break, and the estimated time to complete the repairs is 4:45 p.m. on Friday afternoon.
Due to the main break, Arlington Public Schools has closed the following schools: Abingdon, Alice West Fleet, Arlington Career Center, Barcroft, Claremont, Hoffman-Boston, Montessori Public School of Arlington, Randolph and Wakefield. The district previously called a two-hour delay and no morning extended day for those schools and the Trades Center.
Below is a map of where the water main break took place.
This is a developing story. Stay with WTOP for the latest.
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Read More: Boil water advisory for part of Arlington after water main break leaves some