Introduction
On July 22, 2024, the Campaign for Lead Free Water (CLFW) hosted a webinar about DC Water’s lead service line (LSL) identification process. Understanding how DC Water identifies LSLs is essential for:
Ensuring that Washington, DC’s LSL replacement program removes fully all lead-bearing pipes connecting water mains under city streets to individual buildings;
Supporting the delivery to DC residents of clear, complete, and accurate information about a) what lead-bearing plumbing materials DC Water’s LSL replacement program does, and does not, target for removal, and b) steps they can take to protect themselves from lead-in-water exposures, whether they currently have a LSL, used to have a LSL, or never had a LSL;
Establishing a strong Whole-of-Community approach to LSL replacement in order to a) support DC residents, clean water and environmental justice advocates, DC government agencies, DC City Council, and DC Water to develop a shared understanding about Washington, DC’s LSL replacement program, and b) ensure the program’s successful implementation; and
Empowering DC residents as well as clean water and environmental justice advocates to call for a comprehensive lead-in-water bill that codifies DC Water’s LSL replacement program; strengthens it where necessary; and aligns it with other key aspects of such a bill (e.g., public education, routine use of water filters certified to remove lead).
Webinar participants included DC Water (our presenters); DC residents; local and national clean water and environmental justice advocates; representatives from the DC Department of the Environment (DOEE), DC Office of the People’s Counsel (OPC), Office of DC Councilmember for Ward 4 Janeese Lewis George, Office of DC Councilmember for Ward 6 Charles Allen; and Safe Water Engineering.
In preparation for the webinar, the CLFW shared with DC Water a list of questions about LSL identification. As of 12.16.04, DC Water has provided responses to all our questions, which are embedded in the document below. In red font, you’ll also be able to see the follow-up questions that we sent back to DC Water. We will continue to update this document, as we receive additional information. When the document is complete, we’ll create a list of highlights that we believe demand the District’s focused attention.
Should you have questions that do not appear on our list, please let us know.
Thank you!
July 22, 2024 Webinar about DC Water’s LSL Identification ProcesS
We are posting DC Water’s webinar presentation with the agency’s permission: Slides 1-11, Slides 12-22.
Living Document: Q&A
Version 2 (12.16.24)
Documents Regarding DC’s legal history
of lead service line ownership & maintenance responsibility
(shared by DC Water on 1.31.25)
2012: DC Water’s analysis of lead service line ownership & maintenance responsibility
2012: DC Water Westlaw search results re District of Columbia v. North Washington Neighbors, INC., et al.
2011: DC Water Westlaw search results re DC Code 8-21 (“Lots to be drained into public sewers and connected with water mains”)
1977: Council of the District of Columbia Notice: DC Law 1-98 (“Water and Sewer Repair and Compensation Act of 1976”)
1976: Council of the District of Columbia, Committee of Transportation and Environmental Affairs Report: Bill No. 1-319 (“Water and Sewer Repair and Compensation Act of 1976”)
1976: Council of the District of Columbia Memorandum: Mayoral Disapproval of Bill 1-65
1907: The Statutes at Large of the United States of America: Chap. 1626 (“An Act To provide for the abatement of nuisances in the District of Columbia by the Commissioners of said District, and for other purposes")
1896: 54th Congress: Chap. 206 (“An Act to provide for the drainage of lots in the District of Columbia”)