The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water) is regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and continues to meet federal drinking water standards. DC Water, as well as its water supplier the Washington Aqueduct, perform monitoring to remain in compliance with EPA and to protect public health.

Total chromium is monitored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Washington Aqueduct, who is responsible for drinking water treatment in the District. The EPA requires monitoring once per year for total chromium; however, the Washington Aqueduct goes far beyond monitoring requirements and tests treated drinking water weekly for the presence of total chromium.

Total chromium includes hexavalent chromium. The EPA limit for total chromium is 100 parts per billion (ppb) and levels found in District drinking water range from no detection to 2 ppb. Currently, the EPA does not require that hexavalent chromium be independently tested in drinking water.

DC Water is supportive of research that ensures drinking water standards are protective of public health. We continue to monitor and seek guidance from EPA on new research.

Each year, DC Water publishes an Annual Drinking Water Quality Report, which includes monitoring data on total chromium. The 2009 report can be found here: www.dcwater.com/testresults.

Questions about water quality can be directed to the Drinking Water Division at (202) 612-3440.