Lead Pipe Map

District of Columbia · population 702,250

Lead pipes in Washington, DC

17,125 lead or galvanized lines to replace

Most of Washington (population 702,250) gets its water from D.C. Water and Sewer Authority. That system reported 16,935 lead and 190 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines out of 137,166, with 13,388 more of unknown material.

12% of D.C. Water and Sewer Authority's service lines are lead or galvanized requiring replacement, about the same as the District of Columbia average (12%) and higher than the national average (3.1%).

16,935Lead
190Galvanized, replace
13,388Unknown material
106,653Non-lead

Latest lead test for D.C. Water and Sewer Authority (Jan 2026–Jun 2026): 2 ppb at the 90th percentile, against a 15 ppb federal action level. Full test history.

Compliance record: EPA lists no Lead and Copper Rule violations since 2015 for D.C. Water and Sewer Authority.

Water systems serving Washington

Water systemLeadGalv.Unknown% lead
D.C. Water and Sewer AuthorityMain system16,93519013,38812%

Matched from EPA water system service area boundaries and the cities each system reports serving. Edges of the city may be served by a neighboring system; your water bill names your utility.

Check your address in Washington

The counts above cover the whole water system. To see whether your line is lead, look up your address on D.C. Water and Sewer Authority's official inventory. Utilities had to make these public by October 16, 2024.

DC Water Lead Free DCD.C. Water and Sewer Authority details

No map yet? Do the 2-minute scratch and magnet test.

Protect your drinking water

If your line is lead, galvanized or unknown, use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead for drinking, cooking and baby formula, and use only cold water.

Pitcher filtersCheapest start. Pick one certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead, such as Brita Elite, PUR Plus or ZeroWater.See pitchers Faucet-mount filtersFilters straight from the tap. Look for NSF/ANSI 53 lead reduction on the box.See faucet filters Under-sink systemsBest for families. Carbon block (NSF 53) or reverse osmosis (NSF 58) units rated for lead.See under-sink

Choosing a lead-certified filter · Testing your water · Replacement cost

Check another water system

Questions

Does Washington, DC have lead pipes?

Yes. D.C. Water and Sewer Authority, which serves Washington, reported 16,935 lead and 190 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines, plus 13,388 of unknown material.

Who supplies water to Washington?

EPA's service area maps place most of Washington in D.C. Water and Sewer Authority's service area (PWSID DC0000002).

How do I check whether my Washington home has a lead service line?

Search your address on D.C. Water and Sewer Authority's service line inventory map. You can also scratch the pipe where water enters your home: lead is soft, dull gray, scratches to shiny silver and doesn't attract a magnet.

When will lead pipes in Washington be replaced?

EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements require most systems to replace lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines by December 31, 2037. Ask D.C. Water and Sewer Authority whether your street is scheduled and whether it covers the private side.