You may qualify to have the lead water service line on your property replaced at no cost.
Lead Free DC is replacing lead service lines across the District, but some customers may be eligible to initiate their replacements before DC Water reaches their block.
Beginning October 2026, DC Water and the DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) introduced a new one-stop process to make it easier for customers applying for programs that can help cover lead line replacement costs. The programs are primarily funded through federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) grants, DC Water Capital Improvements Program, and District funds subject to available funding.
Through a single application, the Lead Free DC team will review your information, verify your eligibility, and connect you with the replacement option that best fits your needs.
Not sure if you may qualify? We encourage you to apply. Our team can help determine if your service line may contain lead and whether you are eligible to have replacement costs covered.
How to Get Started
- Read our application guide [add link]
- Fill out the application form, and submit any required documents outlined in the guide. If you need help along the way, contact the Lead Free DC team at 202-787-4044 or lead@dcwater.com.
What Happens After You Apply
After you submit your application, we will:
- Review your information and supporting documents.
- Determine whether you meet program eligibility requirements to cover the costs for a replacement.
- Contact you with the determination from your application and next steps.
For more details about the review timeline and what happens if your application is approved or ineligible, read the application guide [add linK].
What to Expect for Replacement Day
If your application is approved, DC Water will provide the next steps to schedule your replacement. Here is what to expect on replacement day:
- Crews will need to access parts of your home: Clear access to the area where your service line enters your home (basement, crawlspace, or utility area).
- Homeowner Presence: An adult must be present during installation window to provide crews access to the point where the water service line enters your home. Please also keep pets secured away from the work area.
- Site Inspection Before Work Begins: Crews will review the work area and inform you if any items need to be cleared. This area is typically within six feet of the blue temporary paint that marks underground utility lines.
- Temporary Water Shut Off: Your water service is shut off during construction. Plan for a 4–8-hour period without running water; fill containers ahead of time if needed.
- Visual Material Verification Before Replacement: Crews verify pipe material by inspecting the point where the service line enters the property and digging a test pit or conducting another DC Water-approved testing method. If the service line is verified as non-lead, replacement work stops immediately.
- Completing and Inspecting Your Replacement: If eligible pipe material is confirmed, the contractor will replace the pipe and coordinate any required inspections. DC Water or DC Department of Buildings (DOB) or their contractors may need access to your home for inspection.
- Post-Installation Flushing: After replacement, the contractor will flush the outside hose bib for 30 minutes.
- Preventing Post-Installation Lead Exposure: DC Water will mail you instructions to flush your water lines weekly for 30 days, and a six-month supply of water filters to prevent post-replacement lead exposure. Use filtered water for drinking or cooking.
Additional Resources
- Learn about our different replacement programs and how they compare
- Learn about other sources of lead exposure
- The Environmental Protection Agency’s guide to home water filtration systems
- Learn more about the background and rulemaking for the programs here.
- Lead Pipe Replacement Assistance Program (LPRAP)
- House by House Priority Full Lead Water Service Replacement Assistance Program (HBH Priority Replacement)
