Press Release: Councilmember Vincent C. Gray Announces Water Supply Has Been Restored at Saint Elizabeths Hospital

News Release — Ward 7 DC Council member Vincent Gray

October 23, 2019

Contact: Takiyah “T.N.” Tate

Washington, D.C. – The District of Columbia Council’s Committee on Health Chair and Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent C. Gray received news today that the water-supply system at St. Elizabeths Hospital has been successfully treated, all bacteria has been eliminated and District officials are restoring full water service at the hospital immediately.

Saint Elizabeths Hospital, the District’s public psychiatric hospital, has gone without drinking water for almost four weeks after the discovery of legionella and pseudomonas bacteria in its water supply, on the East campus. Legionella bacteria can cause Legionnaire’s disease, while pseudomonas can cause severe illness in people with compromised immune systems.  During the water-supply emergency, Saint Elizabeths patients and staff used portable showers and bottled water for drinking and cooking.  The Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), which oversees Saint Elizabeths Hospital, reported that an initial attempt to treat the water supply system failed.  Thus, a second round of treatment was done over the weekend to eliminate the bacteria in the water. 

Upon receiving this news Councilmember Gray issued the following statement:

“I am very pleased to learn that after the second round of chlorination of the water system at St. Elizabeths Hospital, the water system has been successfully treated and all bacteria has been eliminated,” stated Gray.

“Furthermore, I have been informed that the process has already begun to restore full water service to the hospital for patients and staff.  I am told toilets are fully operational and faucet heads are being reconnected at once.  The process of restoring faucet heads to showers should be fully completed by tomorrow.  I want to especially thank Saint Elizabeths staff for their patience and commitment to caring for the hospital patients under such difficult circumstances.  Throughout this process the safety and health of patients has been a priority,” said Gray.

“I will hold a public oversight hearing on the Department of Behavioral Health on November 20, 2019 at 5:30 pm at Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church located at 3000 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, in Ward 7.  This DBH hearing was initially scheduled for October 23, 2019, prior to the water-quality issue at Saint Elizabeths Hospital.  However, at the request of DBH, the hearing was rescheduled due to a family medical emergency involving DBH Director Dr. Bazron.  Therefore, in addition to other oversight issues, we will examine the causes of the bacteria contamination at Saint Elizabeths Hospital and question DBH leadership about the water management plan to ensure that contamination does not recur in the future,” concluded Gray.

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