Environmental Services
Stream Safety in Arlington
When enjoying Arlington's streams, follow the following tips. Always remember to wash your hands with soap and water after coming into contact with stream water. In addition to the tips below, The Enjoying Arlington's Streams Safely brochure (Spanish version) contains further information.
| Did you know that there is a correct method to wash your hands? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides information on the best method to use to get your hands clean and keep you healthy. |
- Never drink stream water.
- Fishing and wading are OK, but do not swim or bathe in streams. Do not eat uncooked fish caught in local streams.
- Wash your hands after coming into contact with stream water, and before eating.
- Use caution when wading to avoid falling on slippery rocks, and wear shoes to protect your feet from broken glass and other sharp objects.
- Keep stream water out of your eyes, ears, mouth or any open sores. Children who are too young to understand these precautions should not be allowed to play in streams.
- Avoid any contact with stream water that is discolored or has an unusual odor.
Arlington volunteers monitor the bacteria levels in Four Mile Run on a monthly basis. The Volunteer Stream Monitoring page contains information on bacteria in Arlington's streams and links to our data.
If the stream appears to be discolored, visit the Reporting Stream Pollution page. The images on this page may help you determine what the cause of the discoloration is and if a call to the County's Emergency Communications Center (703-558-2222) is necessary.
