D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10-A, § 625
625
625.1 Drinking water quality in the District is impacted by land use in the Potomac Basin and by the condition of Washington, DC's water distribution system. Runoff from upstream development, dairy and hog farms, and other agricultural and mining uses presents an ongoing threat to the water supply. Even if the water supply were pristine, however, the pipes used to transport water from treatment facilities to individual customers would affect water quality. Some of these pipes are more than 100 years old and are in poor condition. Problems with old, leaky water pipes are compounded by dead ends where water does not adequately circulate. DC Water is addressing this issue by creating open loops to allow for improved water circulation through the system.
625.2 A related water supply issue is exposure to lead. Water is lead-free when it leaves the treatment plant, but lead can be released when water comes in contact with pipes and plumbing fixtures that contain lead. Lead service lines between the distribution system and individual homes are relatively common in Washington, DC. There are about 11,300 known lead service lines in public spaces, and 7,500 known lead service lines on private property. Considering most pipes on private property are unknown, the District estimates there are 48,000 lead service lines on private property. Lead sources and lead levels vary between buildings, so it is important to identify and remove any lead sources in and to each building. While the risk of lead poisoning is very low for most, it can be more significant for infants and children. Tests conducted in 2004 showed elevated levels of lead in tap water, prompting a collaborative effort by DC Water, the EPA, and the District Department of Health ( DC Health) to accelerate service-line replacement, increase monitoring, and enact corrosion-control measures. DC Water's efforts to replace water service lines are partially supported through a new meter-based fee established in 2016.
625.2a Text Box: Protecting Drinking Water
DC Water is working with the Washington Aqueduct Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to minimize lead release from pipes throughout the District by controlling corrosion, monitoring for lead at the tap, replacing lead service pipes, educating customers on the health impacts of lead, and helping them identify and remove lead sources on their property. Protecting drinking water from lead sources is the shared responsibility of DC Water and the property owner.
625.2b Advancements in technology, like DC Water's interactive map that helps property owners identify their water service line material, increase transparency and strengthen residents' confidence in their drinking water.
625.3 Policy E-6.4.1: Drinking Water Safety
Ensure the safety of Washington, DC’s drinking water supply and distribution system. Maintain sustained efforts to reduce health hazards associated with lead and other contaminants.
Ensure affordable access to safe drinking water through continued support for DC Water’s programs that discount the amount of water needed for residents’ basic needs.
Aggressively implement programs for residential, commercial, and governmental sectors to test for lead, replace lead feeder pipes, and educate the community on safe drinking water issues and stagnant water control.
Implement measures to protect natural systems and abate pollution sources in the Potomac Basin that could potentially harm the District’s drinking water quality.
Create an interagency working group on safe drinking water to address drinking water emergencies. Coordinate with DC Water and DC Health to expand public education on water supply.
SOURCE: District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; 31 DCR 1049 (March 9, 1984)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Element Amendment Act of 1984, effective March 16, 1985 (D.C. Law 5-187; 32 DCR 873 (February 15, 1985)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-129; 37 DCR 55 (January 5, 1990)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989 NCPC-Recommended Amendments, and Closing of Public Alleys in Square 669, S.O. 88-452, Act of 1990, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-132; 37 DCR 2213 (April 6, 1990)); as amended by District Government Land Use Temporary Amendment Act of 1994, effective October 1, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-190; 41 DCR 5360 (August 12, 1994)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1994, effective October 6, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-193; 41 DCR 5536 (August 19, 1994)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Amendment Act of 1994, effective March 21, 1995 (D.C. Law 10-235; 42 DCR 30 (January 6, 1995)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1996 effective April 18, 1996 (D.C. Law 11-110; 43 DCR 530 (February 9, 1996)); as amended by Second Technical Amendments Act of 1996 effective April 9, 1997 (D.C. Law 11-255; 44 DCR 1271 (March 7, 1997)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 1998, effective April 27, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-275; 46 DCR 1441 (February 19, 1999)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1999, effective April 12, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-91; 47 DCR 520 (January 28, 2000)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-300; 54 DCR 924 (February 2, 2007)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 2008, effective March 25, 2009 (D.C. Law 17-353; 56 DCR 1117 (February 6, 2009)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2010, effective April 8, 2011 (D.C. Law 18-361; 58 DCR 908 (February 4, 2011)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2021, effective August 21, 2021 (D.C. Law 24-20; 68 DCR 006918 (July 16, 2021)).