Families seeking solutions:  Expedited lead line replacement; Clear mapping of lead affected areas;

Comprehensive testing of all D.C. schools, libraries, recreation centers, and day care facilities; Free safe-water products; Public outreach, and Full disclosure!!

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Unexplained Rise in Lead Levels in D.C.'s Water

Background:  There has been a surge in the lead levels in the District of Columbia's tap water, according to water samples drawn from some 4,000 D.C. residences last summer.  The lead levels exceed the lead limit of 15 ppb, an actionable threshold level established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. 

Question 1

Why the surge in lead levels?  No one knows. 

Question 2

How are the lead levels in the city's public school facilities?  Why have the city's public schools not been tested already?  WASA announced on February 10 that testing would begin of the city's schools on Saturday, February 14 and results would be back in one month's time.

Question 3

If the schools are going to be tested, then surely the drinking water has been made inaccessible to the children or will be until the testing period begins?

Hopefully next week this will have begun to happen.  As of February 10, water fountains are still being used in the DCPS and have not been made inaccessible to children.

Question 4

Which areas of the city have been tested?  Why are there no maps to show this?

It is unclear at this time.  There has been a call for mapping of tested areas by environmental experts. 

Question 5

Why does WASA not always tell its customers that you can still be drinking lead-contaminated water even if you do not have lead pipes ?  Why not explicitly mention the lead soldering ?