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TextUrges Residents to Conserve Water and Boil Drinking Water
Office of Public Affairs
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 551
Fairfax, VA 22035-0065
703-324-3187, TTY 703-324-2935, FAX 703-324-2010
Sept. 19, 2003
Fairfax County Water Authority Loses
Power:
Urges Residents to Conserve Water and Boil Drinking Water
Due to the extreme power outages caused by Hurricane Isabel, power has been lost to the Fairfax County Water Authority water supply plants. Subsequently, water supply levels are critically low. Please conserve your personal use of water to preserve the supply for critical uses such as fire protection.
Boil Your Water Before Using
Due to the loss of power caused by Hurricane Isabel, and subsequent loss
of pressure in the water system, the drinking water supply for Fairfax
County Water Authority may have been both depleted and compromised. As a
precautionary measure, you must boil water before using for drinking or
cooking.
What should I do?
DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring
all water to a roiling boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool
before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be
used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food
preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria
and other organisms that may have entered the water system.
What is being done to correct this problem?
Once power is restored to the system, Water Authority personnel will
clean the system by flushing water through fire hydrants and blow-offs.
Certified Laboratory personnel will collect samples to test for
potentially harmful bacteria. No potentially harmful bacteria have been
found at this time. These procedures are being taken as precautionary
measures for your health and safety.
We will inform you when tests show that there is no harmful or potentially harmful bacteria and you no longer need to boil your water. We anticipate restoring the system to normal (no need to boil water) within 48 to 72 hours.
Can I disinfect water?
Boiling is the safest method of purifying water. However, if you are
unable to boil water for at least one minute, you can use purification
tablets. These tablets are available at most drugstores or camping supply
stores. Follow label directions.
Although boiling water is the best method of
disinfection, unscented household liquid bleach containing at least 5
percent by weight available chlorine can also disinfect drinking water.
To one gallon of clear water, mix 6 to 8 drops of bleach (1 teaspoon to
10 gallons); let the solution stand for 30 minutes before drinking. The
water should have a slight chlorine odor. If not, repeat the dosage and
allow the water to stand for an additional 15 minutes. If, after the
first chlorine treatment, the water is cloudy and contains particles,
allow the particles to settle. Pour off the clear water into a separate
container and add to it double the amount of bleach mentioned
above.
Swimming pool water may also be available.
However, swimming pool water should only be used for bathing and flushing
toilets, not drinking. In addition, a household water heater tank can
supply 30-60 gallons for bathing or flushing toilets.
Turn off the electricity or gas to the water heater tank. Shut off the main water valve to the house to prevent possible contamination. Open a hot water faucet to vent the water heater tank and allow water to flow through the valve at the base of the tank. Drain water into plastic containers.
How do I know my water is supplied by the Fairfax County Water
Authority?
The Fairfax County Water Authority supplies water for various localities
in addition to Fairfax County. Please check your water bill to verify
that the Water Authority supplies water for your location.
Who do I contact for more information?
For more information, please contact the Water Authority at
703-698-5800, 703-698-5613 (after hours emergency), TTY 703-698-7025.
For other emergency information, call the Fairfax County Government
Emergency Information Line at 703-817-7771, TTY 711.
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