Due to powerful lobbying efforts in the 20th century, many of DC’s water pipes were lead-based — a problem that still impacts many residents’ water supply today. Moreover, though the sale of lead-based paint was outlawed in 1979, this toxic ingredient continues to lurk in thousands of DC homes. According to the DC Department of Energy & Environment, nearly 90 percent of DC homes were built before 1978 and therefore are likely to have lead paint inside. The health hazards of lead has led to a crisis, especially for children, which cannot be ignored. These possible dangers include, but are not limited to behavioral and cognitive issues, learning disabilities, brain damage, seizures, and comas. Thankfully, DC Water and other municipal agencies are dedicated to eliminating the danger of lead in our homes and pipe systems.
The lead crisis in Washington DC has been pertinent from the very start of the city; however, a Washington Post investigative report in 2004 exposed the severe extent of the crisis. This report found that two-thirds of DC homes had lead levels that exceeded 1991 EPA limits as a result of changing water treatment procedures. In response, the Washington Water and Sewer Authority (now DC Water) vowed to replace at least seven percent of lead pipes yearly and have all 23,000 in the city replaced by 2010. However, these replacements were only on public pipes, meaning that the majority of private pipes remained contaminated. Today, DC Water offers resources to check for lead-based pipes, reduce lead-based exposure, and to assist in pipe replacement.
Moreover, DC is not alone in combating this issue. In 2015, following a series of mysterious illnesses, a team from Virginia Tech found that 40% of households in Flint, Michigan had elevated levels of lead in their water, and to this day, residents still must personally filter their drinking water. Additionally, Baltimore is still currently working to resolve their lead crisis in neighborhoods across the city.
Fortunately, in recent years, lead levels in the blood seem to be dropping drastically due to new and enforced regulations. The DC Department of Energy and Environment has been taking important steps in remediating this major issue. Lead regulations are often established, regulated, and strictly enforced by the DC Council. The government also works with families who have children with elevated blood levels, and conducts proactive checks on properties. The DC Department of Housing and Community Development tests eligible private properties for lead-based paint hazards free of charge in their Lead Safe Washington Program (LSW).
Moreover, DC Water covers the cost of lead pipe replacement in public spaces, provides free lead test kits to residents, and helps customers pay for private replacements. The agency also provides a detailed map of possible pipes with lead and water service information.
The DC government requires for all children to be tested for lead at 6 months and 2 years old – this is when children are particularly susceptible to health problems resulting from lead. Furthermore, we encourage for all DC residents to be fully aware of their rights to a lead-safe living space, including the right to demand repairs to chipped and/or peeling paint and view reports of lead inspections.
For more information to protect your health against household lead, visit: https://doee.dc.gov/lead
-- Written by volunteers Emily Zhao and Shevani Tewari