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Lead in DC Drinking Water 

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| **Information for Consumers**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
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| **Important information about lead**Lead  can cause serious health problems if too much enters your body from drinking  water or other sources. It can cause damage to the brain and kidneys, and can  interfere with the production of red blood cells that carry oxygen to all parts  of your body. The greatest risk of lead exposure is to infants, young children,  and pregnant women. Scientists have linked the effects of lead on the brain  with lowered IQ in children. Adults with kidney problems and high blood  pressure can be affected by low levels of lead more than healthy adults. Lead  is stored in the bones, and it can be released later in life. During pregnancy,  the child receives lead from the mother's bones, which may affect brain  development.

***Reducing  Exposure to Lead in Drinking Water: Everyone has a Role*******

**Here’s  how these organizations work to reduce your exposure to lead in drinking water:**Washington Aqueduct● Very low lead levels occur  in source and treated water (often, no lead is detected in source or treated  water)● Corrosion control treatment (maintains constant pH – a measure of acidity -  and adds orthophosphate) ● Monitors to ensure water is minimally corrosive as it leaves the treatment  plants● Reports results to EPA D.C. Water and Sewer Authority● Monitors at locations most likely to have lead problems to determine  effectiveness of the corrosion control treatment● Replaces public lead service lines when homeowners replace private lines, or  in conjunction with road or water system repairs● Participates in national research studies● Reports results to EPA 

**What is EPA’s role?**EPA:…reviews treatment processes, monitoring plans, and results to determine  effectiveness of corrosion control …develops regulations and guidance …performs and funds corrosion research…maintains a website on lead in DC drinking water (www.epa.gov/dclead)…provides technical assistance to Washington Aqueduct, DCWASA, and other  District agencies…reviews outreach and publications from DC water systems, as requested

**Here are steps you can take to further reduce  your exposure to lead in drinking water:**● Before using water for drinking or cooking - especially if the water has been sitting unused for several hours - let the water run from  your tap until it is as cold as it will get. *This may take up to 2 minutes*.  ● Use only cold water for  drinking and cooking  ● Heat cold water on the stove  or in the microwave for preparing infant formula  ● Periodically, remove and clean  the strainer/aerator device on your faucets  ● Purchase faucets and other  plumbing fixtures/fittings with the lowest lead content possible that are  certified by an independent testing agency,  such as NSF International  ● Replace leaded pipes and  plumbing (including private portions of lead service lines)

**If you have specific concerns:**  ● Request water sampling kits from a certified  laboratory to measure lead-in-water levels  ● Talk with your health care  provider about blood lead testing and other health questions

**Link to printable version of this information-PDF**[1p, 2m, about pdf] 

**See the Related Links page for additional consumer information** |

          This site  contains information on lead and related drinking water issues specifically for  District of Columbia  residents. Although lead levels have been below the action level for several  monitoring periods, water quality monitoring and research continue.  The sections below highlight the status of these  efforts. 
      - Water quality summaries from DC WASA                     - Total Coliform
        - Total Chlorine
        - Lead and Copper
        - Disinfectant Byproducts
        - Corrosion Control 

**Update on Lead in Drinking Water (November 2012)**

**Lead Monitoring Results and Status of Orthophosphate Treatment**In July 2012, EPA received DC Water's most recent  report on lead levels in DC drinking water.   DC Water reported that 90 percent of the samples had lead levels of 3 parts  per billion (ppb) or less, below EPA's lead action level of 15 ppb.  This is the fifteenth monitoring period in a row  that DC Water has met the lead action level. 

**Since August 2004, the Washington Aqueduct has been adding orthophosphate to the drinking water as a corrosion inhibitor. Orthophosphate is a tasteless, odorless, food-grade additive that is used by many water systems to control corrosion. It works by forming a protective coating inside pipes that decreases the amount of lead that leaches from lead service lines and customers' plumbing systems. Orthophosphate was added to the  entire DC distribution system beginning on August 23, 2004. 

**Compliance with Administrative Order**The May 2007 Administrative Penalty Order[7pp, 224k, about pdf] closed the 2004 Administrative Order. [35pp, 179k, about pdf] This table[18pp, 84k, about pdf] includes a list of Order requirements, deadlines, and the status of each requirement. 

**Lead Service Line (LSL) Replacement** For more information on changes to the scope of DC Water's LSL replacement program, please visit DC Water's website.   EPA encourages homeowners to  replace the portion of the LSL on their private property and to contact DC Water  to find out about financing options.

**Research**

Members  of the Technical Expert Working Group (TEWG) continue to meet by teleconference  on a regular basis.  The TEWG consists of  the Washington Aqueduct, DC WASA, the D.C. Department of Health, the District Department of the Environment, EPA, the  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and multiple expert  consultants hired by the various groups.   Originally formed in February 2004, the TEWG continues as a forum for  discussing treatment changes, on-going research, and coordinating  communications.  

Several  studies related to the D.C. lead issue are helping to ensure the D.C. utilities  go beyond compliance with the Lead and Copper rule.  Please  see the research section of the Corrosion Control  page for additional details on research projects.

##### DCWASA is  DC Water

On June 15, 2010, DC WASA announced it would begin doing business as DC Water, though �District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority� remains the full legal name of the organization.  References to both �DC Water� and �DC WASA� are contained on www.epa.gov/dclead.  For more information, please visit DC Water�s website. 

##### EPA approves 		  water treatment changes

EPA Region 3  approved[PDF, 2pp, 472k, about pdf] the Washington Aqueduct�s implementation of sodium hypochlorite for disinfection and caustic soda for pH control.  The conversion to hypochlorite for disinfection represents a safety improvement and the addition of caustic soda will improve pH and corrosion control.More Information [90pp,15M,about pdf] 

##### EPA Releases  Study Evaluating Potential Causes for Lead in D.C. Drinking Water Aug. 2007

EPA has released a report with the results of an extensive study evaluating factors that contributed to elevated levels of lead in drinking water for many residents served by the DC Water and Sewer Authority in the early part of the decade.

##### DC WASA to Pay $10,000 Penalty for Reporting Errors

The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority will pay a $10,000 penalty[PDF, 7pp, 224k, about pdf] for not complying with data management and reporting requirements of a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency order[PDF, 35pp, 179k, about pdf] to address past problems with lead in the district's drinking water.  The penalty results from the settlement of an August 2006 EPA administrative complaint [PDF, 17pp, 969k, about pdf] concerning WASA's failure to comply with a 2004 Safe Drinking Water Act consent order.  EPA's May 22, 2007 press release provides additional information on this action.		**Administrative Order**
EPA issued an administrative order[PDF, 35 pages, 179K, about pdf] on June 17, 2004 that required WASA to provide new safeguards for lead in drinking water. A supplement[PDF, 8 pages, 60K, about pdf ] to this order was issued on January 14, 2005. The Administrative Order issued by EPA to WASA was modified**[**PDF, 5 pages, 244 K, about pdf] in June 2005. This table[PDF, 18 pages, 84K, about pdf ] summarizes WASA's compliance with the Order. 
Full System Orthophosphate Treatment
The corrosion inhibitor chemical orthophosphate was added to the drinking water supply of the District of Columbia on August 23, 2004. Please see the Corrosion Control page for more information.
Public Education Report
Recommendations for Improving the Washington DC Water and Sewer Authority Lead in Drinking Water Public Education Program
Additional Information
EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline 800-426-4791

District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority
General information on lead in drinking water

Children and drinking water standards

 
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