DC Water Out(r)age

[Anonymous]

I'm sure this has popped up in other threads, but anyone else frustrated at how poorly DC Water handled the recent boil water advisory? The communication was not timely or complete, nor was it broad and effective for a variety of groups (e.g. Spanish-speaking DC residents and those in the affected zone who don't pay a water bill because it's included in their rent).

WaPo is now saying it was caused by human error. It may not be credible, but someone on PoPville wrote they saw a bunch of DC Water employees near the Bryant Street station slacking off and watching a motorbiker speed and pop wheelies around the time of the failure.

If anything, this highlighted how unprepared DC, our nation's capital and a terrorist target, is for a real crisis.

[Anonymous]

I work at a hospital in the affected zone. Post-Katrina, hospitals had to make upgrades to existing systems to ensure no disruptions in patient care in the event of an emergency or power failure. The lack of readiness and system vulnerability was glaring during the boil advisory. While bottled water was quickly provided and there were no adverse events at my facility, we didn’t have potable running water for over 2 days and had to keep reminding patients of this when they asked for ice.

[Anonymous]

My water pressure is still low here in Brookland. Don't have a whole lot of faith in DC Water's ability to handle the next emergency.

[Anonymous]

#firstworldproblems

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:#firstworldproblems

Lack of safe drinking water is actually a pretty third world problem