Naval Station Washington - WNY

NAVFAC Washington supplies water to residential and commercial buildings throughout the Washington Navy Yard. This water is sourced from the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water). Municipal water for the District of Columbia originates from the Potomac River, classified as a "surface water" source.

DC Water purchases water from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Washington Aqueduct, which filters and treats the water to meet safety standards. The treatment includes multiple processes: sedimentation, filtration, fluoridation, pH adjustment, primary chlorine disinfection, secondary chloramine disinfection through hydrogen addition, and corrosion prevention using orthophosphate.

DC Water conducts regular water quality monitoring throughout the District to ensure compliance with Federal standards. For additional information about DC Water's assessment methods, reports, potential contamination vulnerabilities, or to obtain the 2018 Consumer Confidence Report, visit https://www.dcwater.com/waterquality. To learn more about water treatment processes, visit the Aqueduct's website at http://www.nab.usace.army.mil/Missions/WashingtonAqueduct.aspx.

NAVFAC Washington conducts routine sampling at the Washington Navy Yard (WNY), with results summarized in Table 1 of this report. Municipal water sources (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water moves across land or underground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and sometimes radioactive materials, and may pick up substances from animal or human activities.

Potential contaminants in source water include:

• Microbial Contaminants: viruses and bacteria from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Pesticides and Herbicides: from agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential use
• Inorganic Contaminants: naturally occurring salts and metals or those from urban runoff, industrial/domestic wastewater, oil/gas production, or farming
• Organic Chemical Contaminants: byproducts of industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, urban runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive Contaminants: naturally occurring or resulting from oil/gas production and mining

NAVFAC Washington will immediately notify customers if source water contamination creates unsafe conditions for consumption and use.

1. What is chlorine and why is it added to municipal water? Chlorine serves as a disinfectant commonly used in water treatment. It effectively eliminates bacteria and viruses that could cause illness. Water systems have utilized chlorine for disinfection since the early 1900s. The implementation of chlorine and similar disinfectants has successfully eliminated waterborne illnesses like typhoid fever, cholera, and dysentery in developed countries.
2. If I detect a chlorine smell in my water, is it still safe to consume? Yes. Chlorine residual concentrations are monitored daily at various system locations, and levels consistently remain well below the EPA and MassDEP maximum limit of 4 parts per million.
3. How can I reduce chlorine taste or odor in my tap water? Fill a clean container with water and refrigerate it. The chlorine will dissipate within several hours. Alternatively, activated carbon filters in pitcher or faucet-attachment form can effectively reduce chlorine-related taste and odor.
4. Does the Commission add fluoride to the municipal water? No.
5. I occasionally notice discoloration in my water. Why does this happen and is it safe? Discoloration may indicate nearby maintenance work or a recent water main break, but the water remains safe for consumption. To clear discoloration, run cold water taps for 10-15 minutes. For questions or to report persistent discoloration, contact our Operations Center 24/7 at 413-310-3501.