Boil Water Advisory in Effect for Major Portion of DC

DC Water is advising thousands of residents in Northwest and Northeast D.C. to boil their tap water before drinking it or cooking with it.

A map the water authority released early Friday shows that a major portion of the city is affected, starting north of K Street and New York Avenue and running the entire width of the District from east to west.

Go here to see a larger version of DC Water’s map.

The “boil water advisory” is in effect until futher notice and is a precaution after a problem with the water system Thursday night.

Also, DC Water is advising people to boil their water if they had no water or low water pressure after 8:30 p.m. Thursday.

D.C. Deputy Mayor Kevin Donahue warned residents of the problem, and the city issued an alert through its AlertDC system.

The problem began because a valve was open about 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Bryant Street Pumping Station. That resulted in a loss of pressure that can allow contaminants to enter the water. The cause of the problem was not immediately known.

Stay with News4 for more details on this developing story.