Know Your Pipes: DC Water Sends Annual Notifications to Help Customers Stay Informed

December 04, 2025
Image of Wendy with EPA Letter

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DC Water is reaching out to nearly 25,000 customers this month with important information about the material of their water service lines. These annual notifications are part of DC Water’s ongoing commitment to prevent exposure to lead and remove lead service lines from the District’s drinking water system through the Lead Free DC initiative.  

If you’ve received a similar notice in the past, that’s because the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires these updates every year to keep customers informed and safe. EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI), calls for annual updates when a service line may be lead, galvanized iron, or unknown.

While these letters are required under federal rules, it’s more than compliance for DC Water. It’s about the health and safety of the communities we serve. That’s why we’ve also included more helpful information in the letter, including:  

  • Information on free lead line replacement programs
  • Steps to confirm your pipe material if it’s unknown
  • Information about the health effects of lead exposure
  • Tips to reduce potential exposure to lead

Lead exposure can have serious health impacts, especially for children and expecting parents. Knowing your service line material is the first step toward reducing risk and planning for replacement.  

Since launching Lead Free DC in 2019, we’ve already replaced more than 10,000 lead service lines, and we’re continuing that work across the District!

Join DC Water in the mission to replace all lead service lines!

Visit dcwater.com/lead to check your service line, sign up for a replacement, and explore helpful videos and resources. Questions? Contact our Lead Free DC team at 202-787-4044 or lead@dcwater.com

Latest News

Image of Wendy with EPA Letter

DC Water is reaching out to nearly 25,000 customers this month with important information about the material of their water service lines. These annual notifications are part of DC Water’s ongoing commitment to prevent exposure to lead and remove lead service lines from the District’s drinking water system through the Lead Free DC initiative.

Placeholder DC Water Image

Following the completion of priority valve repairs, DC Water will be doing road restoration work along New York Ave and Bladensburg Rd NE this weekend. The work will require lane closures for the duration of the weekend, reduce capacity, and may cause a significant impact to traffic.

Image: A long arm machine drilling anchor bolts into the slope.

On Saturday, November 22, 2025, one westbound lane of Canal Road Northwest NW will be closed between Foxhall Road (Glover-Archbold Trailhead) and the Georgetown University entrance. As part of DC Water’s slope stabilization project, a crew will remove debris from the bottom of the slope. The lane closure will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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Board of Directors Meeting

April 24, 2023

Monday 9:00 AM

Announcement

Image: A long arm machine drilling anchor bolts into the slope.
TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Single Westbound Lane Closure on Canal Road Saturday

On Saturday, November 22, 2025, one westbound lane of Canal Road Northwest NW will be closed between Foxhall Road (Glover-Archbold Trailhead) and the Georgetown University entrance. As part of DC Water’s slope stabilization project, a crew will remove debris from the bottom of the slope. The lane closure will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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Payment Plan Incentive: provides a credit back of 40% of the last 3 payments made and in the new fiscal year 50% will be credited. Eligible participants are residential customers who have had an outstanding balance for 60 days or greater and with an outstanding balance of $500 or more.