View Planned water shutoff in a larger map

Residents near the intersection of 16th and Euclid streets NW could spend part of their nights tonight without water. Or they might not even notice.

DC Water is set to conduct overnight work replacing water main valves at the intersection starting around 7 p.m., as part of a planned capital improvement project. The utility informed the affected community this way:

DC Water is replacing water main valves on 16th St. NW between the intersections of Euclid St. NW and Kalorama Rd. NW. During valve replacement, customers may experience a temporary disruption in water service for 2 - 10 hours. Construction activity may affect traffic in this area and limit access to streets. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Somewhere between two and 10 hours? That's a window of time estimate that rivals even Comcast in its vagueness. So what does this really mean? 

While digging will start at 7, water in this area won't actually be shut off until closer to 9 p.m., according to spokesperson Alan Heymann, and it's expected to be turned back by 5 a.m. at the latest. And just because it will be shut off during this period of time, that doesn't mean you'll definitely be without running water. It's a question of water pressure, you see. And also the condition of the valve in question.

"If the job location is prepared while the water main is under pressure, you may only see people out of water for a limited period of time," Heymann tells TBD. "Once the excavation is prepared, the water is then shut off, the valve cut out, the new valve installed, and the water restored."

Heymann says the shutoff area includes Euclid Street from 13th to 16th NW. DC Water also notified residents on the west side of 16th between Fuller and Euclid that they may be affected.