On Thursday, June 17, the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (WASA) signed a settlement agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that is expected to be acted on by the Authority Board of Directors at its next meeting on July 1, 2004. Under the agreement, WASA agreed to take several steps that are already underway or planned, such as increasing the number of lead service line pipe replacements, improving reporting and including required language in educational materials. The settlement agreement is an outgrowth of WASA's response to the EPA request for information regarding WASA's compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule, and closes an audit of WASA's performance under these regulations.

In announcing the settlement agreement, WASA also made a new commitment to take concrete steps that go well beyond the requirements of the Lead and Copper Rule and the settlement agreement, including:

WASA Community Water Pledge

- Accelerating the pace of lead service line pipe replacements;
- Convening a national workshop on the policy implications of the District's experience under the Lead and Copper Rule;
- Creating a mobile water quality unit to quickly respond to water quality issues;
- Establishing a new position inside WASA to coordinate the Lead Services Program, which spans several departments inside WASA and other government agencies; and
- Several other measures found in detail in the attached web links.