Mayor Anthony A. Williams and DC Water and Sewer Authority (WASA) General Manager Jerry Johnson today announced that the Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) is donating 12,000 PUR pitcher and faucet water filtration systems for distribution to District residents whose homes have lead service lines.

"We are pleased that P&G has donated these filters to District residents and also that P&G Health Sciences Institute experts are helping us address the elevated water lead levels," said Mayor Williams. "This is an excellent example of the private sector working with the public sector to tackle an urgent problem."

The PUR water filters donated include 4,300 faucet and 7,700 pitchers. The pitcher filters can filter up to 40 gallons and have a usage life of one to two months. The faucet mount filters can filter up to 100 gallons and have a usage life of two to three months.

"We're delighted to help be a part of the solution for the people of Washington, DC," said Mary Lynn McHugh, vice president of P&G's global Personal Health Care business.

This week, Mayor Williams announced that each of the 23,000 homes with lead service lines will receive a free filter. The DC Department of Health has recommended that children under six and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding whose residences have lead service lines should drink filtered water.

To determine if a lead service line serves a particular home, residents should contact the WASA Lead Services hotline at (202) 787-2732 or WQP2003@dcwasa.com. If eligible, a test kit will be forwarded within two to three days. Once the test is complete, free pick-up can be scheduled by calling the hotline or dropping the kit off at one of six WASA locations. Results are available within 30 days. The hotline is available 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., Monday - Friday and 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.