From the Ground Up: Progress in Every Step

This fall, Lead Free DC (LFDC) is focused on momentum—carrying the progress of summer forward into a new season of transformation.

In this issue, we take you behind the scenes with the people powering that progress—from inspectors and customer service experts to the crews restoring streets, sidewalks, and yards after an area’s Lead Service Line replacements are completed.

You’ll also see how careful planning, smart construction, and restoration practices help us stay efficient and deliver better results. Whether it’s breaking ground on a new pipe replacement or replanting lawns after the work is done, every step we take is part of a larger effort to create a safer, healthier, lead-free future for DC.

Table of Contents

• From Questions to Confidence: The Team Guiding Residents Through Lead Free DC
• Your Roadmap to a Lead Free Future
• Turning Disruption Into Progress: Understanding the Construction Schedule
• LFDC Team Member Spotlight: Michael Walsh
• Building Smarter: How LFDC Construction Saves Time, Money, and Protects Your Home
• Restoring What We Dig: Seeding and Grass Restoration
• Join LFDC This Fall at Upcoming Events!
• Stay Connected
• We Want To Hear From You
• DC Water Lead Website­­­­­

From Questions to Confidence: The Team Guiding Residents Through Lead Free DC

Behind every successful pipe replacement is a team making sure residents feel informed, supported, and heard every step of the way. That’s how many customers first meet the Lead Free DC (LFDC) Customer Response Team.

• Available weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Every inquiry is acknowledged within four hours
• Support spans the full journey, from the Inventory Map to contractor coordination

Most common customer questions:

• When will construction start in my neighborhood?
• What will the contractors do during the replacement?
• How will this affect my yard or home interior?

The team keeps resources like the “What to Expect” blue booklet ready to share, helps schedule construction, and coordinates with contractors so crews know about special considerations at each property.

Need help? Email lead@dcwater.com

or call (202) 787-4044.

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Your Roadmap to a Lead Free Future

	Getting the lead out of every home in the District is no small task—but with LFDC, it’s happening faster and more efficiently than ever before.  Whether you’ve already received your new copper line or are waiting for your turn, this roadmap shows what to expect and how we’re working to get your neighborhood one step closer to a lead-free future.  Here’s your step-by-step roadmap:
Check Your Line Start with a quick check: Visit dcwater.com/leadmap to see what kind of service line you have. If your line is lead or unknown, you may be eligible for a free or discounted replacement through LFDC.
	Sign Up or Respond If you receive a letter, door hanger, or call from DC Water about a replacement project in your area, respond promptly. In neighborhoods targeted for full-block replacements, your participation helps keep the whole project on schedule—and your neighbors eligible for free replacements.
Inspection and Scheduling Once you’re signed up, a DC Water inspector will schedule a site visit to confirm what’s underground and explain what to expect. This step helps us plan the safest and most efficient way to complete the work
	Construction Day Crews replace both the public and private sides of the lead service line—usually in one day. We do our best to minimize disruptions and protect your property. If anything sensitive—like a tree, garden, or foundation—is involved, our team will work with you to find the best approach.
Restoration and Confirmation After replacement, your property will be restored. That includes filling trenches, seeding grass, and documenting the new line in our system. You’ll also receive post-replacement instructions for flushing your plumbing.
	You're Lead Free! Once your line is replaced and restored, you’re officially lead free. DC Water will continue tracking progress across the city, neighborhood by neighborhood, until the job is done.

We’re committed to making this process smooth, transparent, and equitable—for every household, every block, and every future generation.

Search for your address or sign up at dcwater.com/lead.

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Turning Disruption Into Progress: Understanding the Construction Schedule

Replacing lead service lines is a big step toward safer water. As we move into fall, crews continue working efficiently to complete replacements before winter weather sets in. While construction may feel disruptive, every phase is designed to deliver lasting progress.

• Blocks are prioritized based on estimated number of lead lines and vulnerable populations, like children.
• Outreach often begins before a contractor is assigned.
• At least 50% of homeowners must sign up before construction permits are issued.

Customer touchpoints: 

• Letters sent weeks before construction begins
• Project Information Sheets for non-participating neighbors
• 3 days advance notice for inspections (“test pits”)
• Same-day results for pipe material tests 

By coordinating with other utilities and District partners, DC Water reduces repeat construction and keeps neighborhoods moving forward. 

Check our Construction Dashboard to see if your neighborhood has been scheduled!

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Team Member Spotlight: Michael Walsh

Few people know the Lead Free DC program like Michael J. Walsh. After beginning work on DC Water’s lead service replacement efforts as a contractor in 2007, Walsh officially joined the utility in 2022. In the nearly two decades since he began, he’s seen the program evolve dramatically—and he’s been a constant presence through it all. 

“I like to think I’ve seen it all,” he says, “but DC always has a way of surprising you.”

Unpredictability is a defining feature of Walsh’s work. From the unusual layouts of DC’s older homes to the sometimes surprising materials buried underground, nothing is ever quite routine. “We run into pipe materials we’ve never seen before, layouts that don’t follow any pattern. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, something new pops up. But that’s what makes it interesting.” 

Fall brings its own challenges, too—from shorter daylight hours to unpredictable weather—but Walsh and his team stay focused on keeping projects moving. Their ability to adapt quickly is key to maintaining momentum across neighborhoods.

He’s watched the public conversation around lead evolve as well. “There were times we thought we’d have it all out by now,” he says. “Momentum slowed, then Flint put it back in the national spotlight. I’m glad the urgency is back. We’re finally making real progress.” 

In his role as Program Manager, Walsh helps coordinate work across neighborhoods—balancing construction goals with the needs of customers. “Everyone’s home is their sanctuary,” he says. “So when we need to dig or reroute a service line, we make every effort to be respectful and thoughtful.” 

He recalls a homeowner on Newark Street who had a 100-year-old oak tree in the path of the lead service line. “We redesigned the plan completely. We ran the new line diagonally across the yard just to avoid the tree. It took more effort, but it was the right thing to do.” 

Much of that responsiveness, he says, is made possible by DC Water’s experienced field inspectors. “They’re often the first point of contact. They understand the situations, and they know when to loop us in or when they can solve things on the spot. We count on them every day.” 

As we transition from Summer to Fall, we're entering a season of preparation—and for Walsh, that means laying the groundwork for long-term solutions. Whether it’s exploring new technologies or refining current practices, every step taken today helps ensure a safer tomorrow. 

Looking ahead, Walsh hopes new technology will help identify lead lines more accurately—without digging. “Right now, we still have to do test pits to confirm what’s underground. If we had a non-invasive tool that was affordable and accurate, it would change everything—how quickly we move, how we reassure homeowners, how we restore properties. It would be a huge leap.”

But even without that technology, Walsh says the team remains committed to the same goal: getting every piece of lead out of the ground.

“The day we remove the last lead pipe from the District—that’s the moment I’m working toward. Knowing that future generations won’t have to worry about this—that’s what keeps me focused."

📸 Photo Caption: Michael J. Walsh, Program Manager for Capital Water Program and Lead Free DC Lead Services, has worked on the replacement program since 2007. He’s focused on delivering safe, respectful service—one home at a time.

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Building Smarter: How LFDC Construction Saves Time, Money, and Protects Your Home

Under Lead Free DC (LFDC), replacing lead service lines is more than digging and installing new pipes. It’s about doing it smarter. With more than 40,000 estimated replacements across the District, DC Water’s approach is guided by a commitment to efficiency, cost savings, and protecting customer property.

Smart Planning from the Start

Smarter planning begins with smart data. DC Water uses a prioritization model to identify blocks with the highest need, then bundles those blocks into construction packages to streamline bidding and reduce mobilization costs.

To plan for program costs, DC Water reviews recent construction labor and material data and accounts for more than just the pipe replacement. Including restoration, permitting, and traffic control, the estimated cost of a full lead service line replacement is $21,000 (FY 2024).

👉 Restoration alone makes up about 40% of that cost—covering everything from sidewalk repairs to landscaping. By coordinating with other utilities and District agencies, LFDC reduces repeat construction and keeps costs down for everyone.

As fall progresses, DC Water works to complete as many replacements as possible before winter weather slows construction. Smart planning helps us stay ahead of seasonal challenges and maintain momentum across neighborhoods.

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Early Outreach

One aspect of managing construction timing is starting our outreach early. Once DC Water has selected blocks for replacements, LFDC begins notifying homeowners about the opportunity to replace their service line. Sometimes outreach begins even before a contractor is assigned to ensure that as many homes as possible are signed up when construction begins.

At least 50% of a block must be signed up before construction permits can be issued. With this approach, DC Water makes sure contractors can schedule replacements efficiently and open a block for construction as soon as they are ready.

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Visual Inspections and Rapid Communication to Avoid Unnecessary Replacements

Once construction begins, crews start by inspecting water lines in public space to confirm pipe material. These “test pits” cost between $1,050 and $1,900 and help avoid unnecessary replacements.

If lead is found, homeowners receive same-day results via door hangers and can still sign up while crews are working nearby. This approach maximizes efficiency and reduces the need to return for future replacements.

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Protecting Your Property

LFDC contractors are trained to restore private property to pre-construction conditions. Homeowners receive advance notice before work begins and updates throughout the process.

Whether it’s a driveway, yard, or sidewalk, the goal is to leave your property just as we found it.

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By combining smart planning, efficient construction, and a focus on customer care, LFDC is building more than just new infrastructure—we’re investing in the long-term health of our communities.

Would you like me to also add callout boxes or pull-quotes (like “Restoration makes up 40% of the cost” or “$21,000 per replacement”) so these big facts visually stand out like in a newsletter spread?

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Restoring What We Dig: Seeding and Grass Restoration

Fall is a prime time for grass restoration—cooler temperatures and consistent moisture help new lawns take root and thrive. The softer soil and milder weather also make it easier for crews to complete restoration work with minimal disruption. As LFDC works to replace lead service lines in every home in DC, we’re making sure that neighborhood yards, streets, and sidewalks are fully restored after construction is completed.

Here’s a closer look at our approach to seeding, grass restoration, and beautifying DC following a lead service line replacement:

• Once all lead service line replacements on your block are finished, properties will be completely restored.
• This work includes fixing damaged sidewalks, roadways, and yards.
• The final restoration timeframe may be affected by weather, but should take place within 4 months.

Inspectors will use before-and-after images of your yard to make sure restoration is complete. This includes re-seeding grass that was dug up during the testing and replacement process.

Contractors also work to replace any affected plants such as flowers, bushes, or trees. While crews do their best to avoid disturbing them, it’s not always possible.

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By combining careful restoration, re-seeding, and landscaping repairs, LFDC is committed not just to removing lead pipes, but to leaving neighborhoods safe, functional, and livable after construction.

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Join LFDC This Fall at Upcoming Events!

Fall is a busy season for community engagement—and LFDC is showing up across the District to connect with residents and share resources. Lead Free DC gives presentations and attends District events to share information about lead service line replacements all over DC! Stop by any of the below events to learn more about our programs, how to get a free lead service line replacement, and to ask questions!

If your organization would like Lead Free DC to join an event or give a presentation, please reach out to Sean Moore at sean.moore@dcwater.com.

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Stay Connected with Lead Free DC

Stay connected with us on social media for instant updates, engaging conversations, exclusive content, and event announcements. Your support and engagement on platforms like Facebook, X and Instagram help us to build community around our efforts and play a crucial role in our mission to create a lead free DC. Let's build a community committed to clean water and a healthier environment!

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We Want to Hear From You

Send us your thoughts and feedback on the program at lead@dcwater.com. We value your input!

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DC Water.com Lead Website

Curious to learn more about our Lead Free DC program? Visit our website at dcwater.com/lead to dive deeper into our initiatives and explore how we're working towards a lead free future.

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