WASA gets feedback on lead pipe replacement program

May 2008

U.S. Water News Online

WASHINGTON — The D.C. Water and Sewer Authority is considering whether its $400 million dollar lead pipe replacement program should continue.

In 2004, it was revealed that tap water across the city failed to meet safe lead levels, and WASA embarked on a program to replace 35,000 lead pipes citywide.

But some tests show that replacing the pipes has brought little or no change in the lead levels in some residents' tap water.

WASA's board of directors heard from more than a dozen witnesses recently as it considers how the authority can keep lead levels in line with federal standards.

Most who testified agreed that the pipe replacement program is not a good value for the $93 million spent so far and that the system should be suspended.