(Updated at 4:25 p.m.) People and pets should avoid much of Four Mile Run for the next 2-3 days as a precaution, Arlington County says.
The advisory comes amid a scorching heatwave. The county says it’s due to a “dumping incident” near N. Ohio Street.
The affected portion of the stream runs along popular parks like Bluemont Park, Barcroft Park and the Shirlington dog park.
Arlington firefighters responded to the stream earlier today for a report of a milky substance — possibly paint — in the water.
“The matter is still under investigation but paint or something similar went into a storm drain from a roll-off dumpster being swapped out at a home where work is taking place,” Peter Golkin, spokesman for Arlington’s Dept. of Environmental Services, tells ARLnow.
“The spill was called in by neighbors,” Golkin added. “As we point out often, there are no filters on Arlington’s storm drains and whatever goes in comes out in our streams and the watershed. People need to be careful.”
Avoid Four Mile Run Stream downstream of N Ohio St for the next 48 to 72 hours. An advisory is issued following a dumping incident near I-66. Learn more about stream safety: https://t.co/6RVLSZI9kT. pic.twitter.com/PawpsSEhN3
— Arlington Department of Environmental Services (@ArlingtonDES) July 27, 2023
