WASHINGTON (AP) – Water contamination in a section of northwest Washington is forcing three District of Columbia public schools to close for students and staff.
School officials say Cleveland, Garrison and Seaton elementary schools will be closed Thursday due to problems with their water supply.
In addition, all students at Duke Ellington High School will report to the Meyer Campus on Thursday due to the water issues. The school's Garnet-Patterson campus is affected by the water issues.
D.C. Water issued a do-not-drink advisory Wednesday in the Shaw neighborhood north of downtown Washington. Residents are advised not to drink, cook or bathe with the water.
The utility received reports of a petroleum smell, and initial testing at Cleveland Elementary School found contamination in the water. Authorities plan to continue testing the water.
DC Water crews flushed the water distribution system overnight and are currently testing the water for contaminants. If the tests are successful, the water restrictions could be lifted by this afternoon.
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