Lead can pose significant health risks if too much of it enters the body. The greatest risk of lead exposure is to infants, young children and pregnant women. 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 the body. 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 from other sources (such as lead-based paint and contaminated soil) can increase a person's overall exposure, which adds to the effects of lead in water. The District Department of the Environment (DDOE) offers information on blood lead testing for young children, pregnant women and nursing mothers. For more information on minimizing lead exposure, contact DDOE at 202-654-6036 or visit www.ddoe.dc.gov or visit EPA's website at www.epa.gov/lead.
DC Water recommends that you filter your water to minimize potential lead exposure if lead is present in your drinking water, if you have pipes or plumbing fixtures that contain lead, or if you don't know the material type. If you are pregnant, nursing or have children under age six, use cold, filtered tap water for drinking and cooking until all sources of lead are removed. This includes water used for making infant formula, beverages and ice.
Under the authority of the Safe Drinking Water Act, EPA set a Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) for lead at zero. The MCLG is the level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety. EPA also set an action level for lead at 15 ppb. Action levels are set to limit the amount of metals allowed in drinking water and, if exceeded, they trigger treatment changes and other required actions that must be taken by DC Water and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Washington Aqueduct. These requirements are triggered if more than 10 percent of all first draw compliance monitoring samples collected during any monitoring period exceed the action level. Your lead results may be higher or lower than the action level, which does not reflect DC Water's regulatory compliance. DC Water is required to collect and analyze 100 samples every six months to assess whether the District's drinking water meets the action level. DC Water will notify all customers if the District's water exceeds the lead action level.
The potential for lead in drinking water varies among homes in the District. Drinking water is essentially lead-free when it leaves the Washington Aqueduct treatment plant, but lead can enter water when it comes in contact with pipes or plumbing fixtures that contain lead. If your property has a lead service pipe, DC Water will replace the public portion of the service line during a water main replacement, or if you agree to replace the portion on your private property. Please contact the Drinking Water Division at 202-612-3440 for more information about the lead service line replacement program.
DC Water strongly encourages residents to take the following steps to reduce lead exposure:
Remove lead sources
- Replace your lead service pipe with copper. For more information about lead pipe replacement, contact the Drinking Water Division at 202-612-3440.
- Replace household galvanized plumbing. When lead is released from a lead service pipe and passes through galvanized plumbing (particularly over decades of use), lead can accumulate on the inside, corroded walls of this plumbing. Lead release from galvanized pipes can continue even after a lead service pipe is replaced.
- Install lead-free plumbing fixtures certified to meet NSF Standard 61 Annex G (NSF 61-G). Effective in 2014, fixtures that are labeled "lead-free" cannot contain more than 0.25 percent lead. Flush cold water taps, with the aerator removed, at highest flow rate for 5 minutes once a day for 3 days after installing new household pipes or fixtures.
Use filtered tap water
- Be sure to select a filter certified to meet NSF Standard 53 for lead removal. The filter package should specifically list the device as certified for removing the contaminant "lead."
- We recommend devices that are installed at your faucet tap (also known as point-of-use) or pitcher-style filters. Visit the NSF International website for certified drinking water filters at www.nsf.org/Certified/DWTU or call 1-800-673-8010.
- Be sure to routinely replace filter cartridges according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Do not use your hot water tap for drinking and cooking
- Always use cold tap water, then heat water if necessary. Boiling water does not reduce lead levels.
- Hot tap water can cause a greater amount of lead to release from plumbing. Always use cold tap water, including water used for making ice, beverages and infant formula.
Run the cold water tap when water is not used for several hours
- Run your water before using it for drinking or cooking. Once you notice a temperature change, continue running your water for 2 more minutes to receive fresh water from the water main.
- Lead and other metals can dissolve in water when it sits in pipes for a few hours.
Remove and clean faucet aerators
- Lead particles and sediment can collect in the aerator screen located at the tip of your faucet.
For more information, contact the Drinking Water Division at 202-612-3440 or visit www.dcwater.com/lead.