The most important resource for learning about the District’s tap water quality is now available. The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water) has released its 2012 Drinking Water Quality Report online and by mail to every household in the District. The report shares information on how water is treated and tested to provide a supply that is clean and reliable for drinking, cooking and bathing.

District drinking water continues to meet all federal drinking water standards and testing programs ensure tap water is protective of the public’s health. In 2011, DC Water conducted more than 40,000 tests on samples from hydrants, commercial buildings and household taps. The 2012 Drinking Water Quality Report is an annual snapshot of regulatory and voluntary water testing programs that help safeguard our drinking water supply.

“Each day, we deliver more than 106 million gallons of affordable, clean drinking water to residents, visitors and businesses. Our most important job is to promote public health and hygiene,” said DC Water General Manager George S. Hawkins. “This report highlights another year of that work, and explains why the District can have every confidence in its tap water.”

District tap water costs $10 for 1,000 gallons. Bottled water costs at least $1,000 for the same amount of water. Unlike bottled water, drinking water is frequently monitored before it reaches customer taps and all these results are available to the public. The annual drinking water report and monthly test results provide valuable information about the quality of water flowing from the Potomac River and throughout the District.

Drinking water quality is a shared responsibility of DC Water, residents and the US Army Corps of Engineers, Washington Aqueduct. The Washington Aqueduct draws water from the Potomac River and is responsible for water treatment. DC Water purchases treated drinking water from the Washington Aqueduct and distributes water to more than 600,000 residents and businesses.

The 2012 Drinking Water Quality Report, monthly test results and tips to ensure household water quality are available at dcwater.com/testresults or customers can contact the Drinking Water Division at (202) 612-3440.