Petroleum product discharge
Fire Dept., Environmental Services investigating
Booms placed to contain spillage
WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 2, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Arlington County today advised the public to avoid water downstream of Four Mile Run below South Walter Reed Drive because of petroleum product discharge. The spill was reported shortly before 11 a.m. today. Arlington County Fire Department and the Department of Environmental Services are on-scene investigating the source of the contamination and have placed booms to contain released product. The size of the spill has not yet been determined.
Public, pets, should stay out of the water
The public is advised to stay away from the affected water and to keep pets away until further notice, to eliminate the risk of exposure to petroleum products in the stream. People should not fish in the stream or have any contact with the water – including wading or swimming – until further notice from the County. The advisory to avoid all contact is considered an extra precaution to allow the effect of the discharge to be diminished by natural flushing of the streams.
Recreational areas affected adjacent to the streams include Shirlington and Jennie Dean parks.
NOTE: The public is reminded that stream water can contain microorganisms that can make people sick, whether the stream is located in an urban area or in the middle of a forest. Even after the discharge is naturally flushed from the streams, the County’s normal precautions for safe use of streams apply. You can find information and safety tips on Arlington streams, including information on reporting stream pollution incidents, on the Department of Environmental Service website.
Arlington Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the “10 miles square” parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation’s Capital. Slightly smaller than 26 square miles, it is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, and one of only a handful with the prized Aaa/AAA/AAA bond rating. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods and quality schools, and has received numerous awards for Smart Growth and transit-oriented development. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world — including the Pentagon — Arlington stands out as one of America’s preeminent places to live, visit and do business.
