When it comes to utility rage around these parts, Pepco is the target of a majority of complaints. But perhaps we should be paying a little bit more attention to Washington Gas, if this ABC7 report is any indication.
Report: Washington Gas Slacking on Fixing Leaks
Pepco Warns Of Potential Outages In Coming Days
The District might be getting a brief break from the insanely oppressive heat today -- but Pepco is warning customers that they're not out of the woods yet when it comes to those pesky rolling power outages.
Pepco President: Oh, We're Not That Bad
Pepco -- the company so bad that it even baffles WMATA -- was recently named the most hated company in America. (Yes, even worse than Comcast!) The electric company's president, Tom Graham, doesn't completely agree, of course.
Pepco President Wants Your (126-or-Fewer Character) Questions
Do you have questions about Pepco? We bet you do -- after all, its been a tumultuous year for the electric utility around the region.
Geyser at 14th and Euclid Streets This A.M. Not Due To Main Break
A few people have emailed us in search of information regarding a rather large geyser of water rushing up from the ground at the corner of 14th and Euclid Streets NW this morning. D.C. Water spokesperson Alan Heymann, contacted by email, told DCist that the rushing water was not due to a main break, but was connected to the work that crews were performing in the area last night. Heymann also reminded us that "water coming up out of the ground doesn’t always mean a water main break," and that residents should call the D.C. Water Command Center at (202) 612-3400 anytime they see water flowing from the ground and are wondering what is going on.
D.C. Verizon Customers Getting Tiny Refunds
The Examiner reports this morning that over 60,000 residential Verizon customers in D.C. are getting anywhere from 20 cents to $2 refunded to them this month due to a widespread billing error that occurred in May. Turns out Verizon started billing for a rate increase for landlines a full month before the increase had been approved by the D.C. Public Service Commission. A total of 60,543 residential customers were overcharged to the tune of $66,173.
WASA Says There Was No Water Main Break
Despite what Alert DC told us all this morning, WASA says the power outage in Columbia Heights was not caused by a water main break. We weren't the only ones who reported a main break at 13th and Florida this morning, but it also wouldn't be the first time Alert DC oversimplified something that was more nuanced.
Power Outage at Benning Road Substation
AlertDC sent out word that neighborhoods in Northeast D.C. that are served by Pepco’s Benning Road substation are without power due to tripped feeders at the substation. This is the the same outage that's affecting RFK, along with Langston Terrace Public Housing at 21st and Benning Road, Charles Young Elementary School, and WASA facilities at 2600 Independence Avenue SE. Pepco's outage map doesn't show anything too dramatic, however. HSEMA and the health department are on scene at Langston Terrace to ensure that medical needs are being addressed. There was no estimated time for power restoration as of 5 p.m.
RUPTURED GAS LINE
The AlertDC system sent out a warning that F Street NW is closed between 21st and 22nd street due to a ruptured natural gas line. Officials are asking that you avoid this area if at all possible on your way home tonight. UPDATE 5:54 p.m.: The natural gas line has been repaired and the roadway reopened.
WASA Begs Residents to Stop Opening Hydrants
The D.C. Water and Sewer Authority sent around word this morning that too many people, especially in Southeast, have been opening up fire hydrants during the heat wave over the past few days, and water pressure in some areas is now very low as a result. The agency says they'd really, really like it if you would stop opening up those hydrants and playing in the resulting spraying water.
The public is reminded that unauthorized use of hydrants is illegal. Such activity will cause low water pressure and service problems for customers and can damage the underground water infrastructure. Loss of adequate water pressure can have a negative impact on fire fighting when firefighters are unable to get enough water to suppress fires. Opening hydrants also poses a safety issue for young children who could easily be hurt from the high water pressure.more ›
Water Main Break on 16th Street NW
A water main break is disrupting traffic on 16th Street NW between Florida Ave. and Euclid Street. D.C. Water and Sewer Authority workers are on the scene working on the break.
WASA Rate Increase Looms, Public Meetings Scheduled
Several neighborhood blogs are posting information about the D.C. Water and Sewer Authority's upcoming public meetings to discuss a proposed 8.5 percent rate increase to city water and sewer rates.
Homes in Southeast Affected By Water Main Breaks
Earlier today the AlertDC system sent out an advisory that five water mains had broken overnight in Southeast DC. The DC Water and Sewer Authority followed up with a press release a couple of hours later with the exact locations of the breaks, details on service disruptions, and repair schedule. The utility said that approximately 50 households were affected, though more may be impacted as work continues through the evening.

