Inauguration 2009 Sees Water Problems

President Barack Obama

Today was an historic day in American history. People from all over the world watched as the first African American was sworn in as the Commander in Chief. Millions of people felt the warm hope of change, despite the frigid temperature. Once the festivities of the inauguration were over, however, some people returned to their hotels and homes worried about their drinking water.

People from all over the country who were staying at the Gaylord National Resort, a Washington, DC-area resort and hotel, were greeted with news that they could not drink the tap water, The Washington Post reported on January 19.

A massive water main break in nearby Temple Hills, Prince George’s County, on January 17 left at least 90,000 people throughout the county on a boil-water order. Mike McGill, a spokesman for the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) blamed the break of a 42-inch water main on freezing weather and aging pipes. The boil-water order went into effect on January 17 and was lifted at 10:30 a.m. (EST) on January 20 according to a WSSC press release.

Amie Gorrell, a spokeswoman for the Gaylord National Resort, said in the article that the boil-water impacted guests staying at the facility’s hotel. The resort facility itself, which was scheduled to host some inauguration festivities, such as a January 19 Texas-style ball, was largely unaffected by the order because it has an in-house filtration system for water used in food preparation, ice machines and dishwashers, she said.

Guests at the Gaylord hotel said they received voice mails and two notes slipped under their doors.

At National Harbor, the development where the Gaylord is located, restaurants were boiling their water and stocking up on bottled water, the article said.

According to the WSSC press release, there also were another 18 main breaks in the area due to frigid temperatures.

Let's hope that one of the changes this year will be in better quality for our drinking water!

-Trina-