Happy Friday morning, Washington. After the latest concerns over the quality and safety of the D.C. area’s drinking water, did you think twice about drinking out of the tap yesterday? We mentioned it briefly at the end of the day yesterday, but the Post has a full story on how WASA and Washington Aqueduct officials are trying to calm our concerns about our tap water. Officials said high levels of chlorine toxins found in May in District water tests conducted were probably temporary. Some residents have responded by saying they should have learned about the rise in unsafe pollutants from WASA, not an independent environmental group — renewing a sense of distrust with the utility that harkens back to the 2004 lead controversy.

Medicaid Funding At Risk In D.C.: Another damning report from the D.C. Office of the Inspector General this morning, this time about wasteful spending of Medicaid funds. Auditors found that three Medicaid contractors received a total of $96.6 million in “excess payments” over the past five years due to a lack of billing oversight on the part of the District. The report also said that the District’s Medicaid program risks losing federal money because it has not provided required information about patients and their health care services.

Still Missing School Principals: The Examiner reports that with just one month before the academic year begins in D.C.’s public schools, only two of 18 principal slots have been filled. Officials blamed the slowdown in the hiring process on the timing of the school takeover, and still promised that all the vacancies will be filled by opening day on Aug. 27.

Briefly Noted: Six different shootings overnight in D.C. leave 11 wounded … Chevy Chase subdivision incorporation bid fails … City finance office asks for audit extension … U.S. Capitol gunman pleads guilty.

This Day in DCist: In 2006 we looked at then-Mayoral candidate Adrian Fenty’s solo vote against last summer’s crime emergency legislation, and in 2005 we shared some tips for making an in-town move in the District.

Photo by AlbinoFlea

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