DC Water's Lead Free DC Program accelerated its work across all eight wards last year, replacing 43% more lead service lines in Fiscal Year 2025 than the prior year. This marks a significant achievement for the program in the newly released annual report on Lead Free DC.

Between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025, LFDC replaced more than 3100 water lines, compared to about 2200 in FY2024, delivering tangible benefits for residents. This includes providing $27 million in free and discounted lead service line replacements, ensuring access to safe, reliable drinking water.

“Lead Free DC continues to build momentum toward our mission to replace all lead water service lines in the District,” said DC Water CEO and General Manager David Gadis. “Two consecutive years of increasing replacements demonstrate DC Water’s commitment to infrastructure that supports the well-being of the District’s residents.”

The report details LFDC’s continued progress, with active construction citywide ensuring broad access to infrastructure improvements. By the close of the year, DC Water had crossed another major threshold, reaching more than 10,000 total service lines replaced in total.

Additionally, pipe material verifications increased by nine percent, helping target replacements where they’re needed most.

These highlights underscore DC Water’s ongoing commitment to a lead-free future and a safer water system for the District.

One of the keys to the program’s success is ensuring a streamlined process and strong coordination across DC Water’s various infrastructure projects, other utility work, and government agencies. By teaming up with ongoing projects, like upgrading water mains, we can be more efficient getting more work done at once and avoid digging up the streets twice. 

We also work together with the District Department of Transportation to make sure permits go smoothly, paving is scheduled at the right time, and streets don’t have to be restored repeatedly. Plus, by coordinating with other utility companies, we help prevent overlapping construction that could disrupt your neighborhood. All these steps mean faster progress and less inconvenience for residents.

In addition, LFDC is creating opportunities for District residents through our canvassing program by training and hiring District residents through a partnership with the Department of Employment Services, which began its third cohort in February 2026.

The FY25 LFDC annual report also includes information about the program’s estimated costs and funding, community outreach efforts for the year, an overview of LFDC lead service line replacement options, and details on how community members can get involved and stay informed on the program’s progress.

For more information and to read the annual report for Lead Free DC, please visit  dcwater.com/lead.