DC Water offering Free Lead Service Replacement for households on nine blocks

DC Water offering Free Lead Service Replacement for households on nine blocks

Through September 30, 2022, DC Water is offering free lead service line replacement for eligible households (regardless of income) located on nine blocks within Petworth and Brightwood Park.

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DC Water is installing green infrastructure across Petworth

DC Water is installing green infrastructure across Petworth

DC Water is undertaking “One of the largest environmental projects in the history of the city. We’re building 18 miles of tunnels and then building green infrastructure at the surface. All of which is intended to reduce overflows to DC creeks and rivers.” The water company is installing the upgrades in Petworth alleys and public spaces.

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DC Water & DC gov offers new program to help cover cost of replacing lead pipes

DC Water & DC gov offers new program to help cover cost of replacing lead pipes

Last year, DC Water estimated that the city had 28,000 service lines with lead pipes. In 2019, DC Water launched the Lead Free DC initiative to remove all lead services lines by 2030. The last time that Petworth News wrote about this initiative in 2016, residents were responsible for the cost of replacing the lines on their property.

Now, DC Water has programs in place to make the cost of replacement either free or discounted to residents. If you haven’t replaced your pipes and you need to, it’s the right time to get it taken care of. Here are the steps you should take…

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Is there a hydromaniac loose in the neighborhood?

Is there a hydromaniac loose in the neighborhood?

File this one under “weird but true.” Someone seems to be going around the area opening up the water spigots on the outside of buildings and homes and letting the water run at full force. Why?

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DC Water to hold Town Hall meetings to discuss rates, run-off and fees

DC Water to hold Town Hall meetings to discuss rates, run-off and fees

DC Water sent out an email to the area listservs promoting a series of “Town Hall Meetings” to be held once in each Ward. If you drink water or bathe, and then follow that up by paying a water bill each month, you might be interested in going to one of these meetings. Also a good opportunity to ask DC Water staff questions on billing, infrastructure concerns, lead pipe remediation, etc.

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Councilmember’s Corner: Granting relief to cemeteries inundated by DC Water fees

Councilmember’s Corner: Granting relief to cemeteries inundated by DC Water fees

I understand that the Clean River Project must be completed, and reducing the funds that cemeteries contribute leaves a hole that must be filled. It wouldn’t be fair to push those costs on to other ratepayers. That is why I am calling on the DC Government to make up the difference.

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A faulty meter or a leaky toilet... which is the culprit for high water bills?

A faulty meter or a leaky toilet... which is the culprit for high water bills?

Last week Petworth News published an article about Petworth residents who discovered inordinately high water bills after DC Water replaced their water meters. One resident, Jonathan Nobil, had a water bill showing more than 29,000 gallons being used last month -- water he contends they didn't use. 

Now there's talk that it may be a faulty meter causing the problem. 

DC Water followed up with an email to Mr. Nobil on Thursday afternoon with a veiled threat, and to Petworth News with an angry email suggesting we not publish a follow-up. 

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Meter mayhem: Petworth residents get hosed with high water charges, DC Water says bills are accurate

Meter mayhem: Petworth residents get hosed with high water charges, DC Water says bills are accurate

DC Water is replacing some 85,000 water meters around the city this year, in an effort to increase the accuracy of water readings. But the effort seems to have backfired for some Petworth residents, who have recently been hit with monthly water bills four times higher than what they usually pay.

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Seriously, consider replacing your lead pipes. Here's how...

Seriously, consider replacing your lead pipes. Here's how...

DC has a problem with lead pipes. That means YOU may have a problem with lead in the water because of that. You can test your water to see if it contains high levels of lead... but the test may be misleading because of many issues (still worth a test, though). Here's what you should do.

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Remediating lead pipes should be your concern

Remediating lead pipes should be your concern

The use of leaded gasoline ended decades ago.  The hazards of lead paint are well documented and fairly well known.  But, the hazards of lead in water because of outdated lead water pipes are hardly known, poorly understood and silently poisoning our children. What you need to know, and what you should do next.

This is a guest post by Roger Green.

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Does your tap water taste funny? It's spring cleaning by DC Water

Does your tap water taste funny? It's spring cleaning by DC Water

DC Water, which runs the sewer and tap water system in DC, is temporarily changing the disinfectant they use to keep the system clean between March 7th and May 2nd. The change from chloramine to chlorine will result in a different smell and taste for tap water. DC Water recommends running the cold water tap for approximately two minutes and refrigerating tap water to reduce the chlorine taste and odor. Probably a good idea to use a filter. 

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Escalators, pipelines & sense of the ANC: Notes from February ANC 4C meeting

Escalators, pipelines & sense of the ANC: Notes from February ANC 4C meeting

A few interesting things at this 4C Advisory Neighborhood Commission meeting, including finding out about the 45-week closing of the East side of the Georgia Ave metro station, the upcoming development at 3701 14th Street, a resolution to honor certain DC residents and upcoming DC Water pipeline work in the area.

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