The D. C. Water and Sewer Authority (WASA) today announced its plan for selecting the priority lead service line replacements it will undertake in public space this fiscal year. The service line is the pipe that connects the water main in the street to houses.

Earlier this year, WASA announced that in addition to the 1,100 service line replacements already scheduled, it would reallocate another $7 million from other projects for an additional 500 service line replacements for homes with the most vulnerable population -- children under six and pregnant or nursing mothers. These replacements would be based on a prioritized list developed in conjunction with the D.C. Department of Health. Property owners will be offered the opportunity to utilize WASA’s contractors to replace the portion of the service line that rests on private property at the owner’s expense.

Under the plan, the service lines that would be replaced are as follows:
· approximately 100 home day care centers with lead service lines;

· approximately 100 homes that have children with elevated blood lead levels and that have a lead service line or a service line of undetermined material;

· approximately 300 homes with high lead water levels that are occupied by members of the target population.

“We have worked with the Department of Health and the Environmental Protection Agency to develop a prioritization plan for this year that would address our most vulnerable populations. This is part of WASA’s continuing efforts to address the issue of elevated lead levels that are present in some residences, said Jerry Johnson, WASA general manager.

Work is expected to start next month on the homes selected under the prioritization plan.