What We Do
Lead Service Replacement Program
The District's water distribution system (water mains) is virtually lead-free. However some older service lines in the District are made from lead. The service line is the pipe that carries water from the main in the street to the home. Some homes in the District experienced lead leaching from their service line during a period from 2001 to 2004. The problem has since been corrected, and in the last four years, following a change in water chemistry, District drinking water has met federal limits for lead and is in full compliance with U.S. Safe Drinking Water Act regulations.
In 2008, DC WASA modified its program to replace public lead service lines to encourage property owners to replace the private portion of the lead pipe as well. "In arriving at the current policy, we consulted experts from the Centers for Disease Control, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, George Washington University Center for Public Health, as well as local health officials and the public," said General Manager Jerry N. Johnson.
Under DC WASA's current Lead Service Replacement program:
- Where a customer is replacing the private portion of a lead service line, at the customer's request, DC WASA will replace the public side of the lead line with funds budgeted for this purpose.
- Lead lines in public space (between the main and the property line) will continue to be replaced with copper pipe in conjunction with DC WASA's ongoing water main replacement projects.
- In coordination with the District Department of Transportation street paving schedule, DC WASA will replace the public portion of a lead line only when the customer agrees to have the private side replaced or if that side is already non-lead.