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Is Washington D.C. Tap Water Safe To Drink?

Yes! Generally Safe to Drink*

LAST UPDATED: 7:47 pm, August 10, 2022
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Table of Contents

Can You Drink Tap Water in Washington?

Yes, Washington's tap water is generally considered safe to drink as Washington has no active health based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) that we are aware of. Other factors such as lead piping in a home, or low levels of pollutants on immunocompromised individuals, should also be considered, however. To find more recent info we might have, you can check out our boil water notice page, the city's water provider website, or Washington's local Twitter account.

According the EPA’s ECHO database, from April 30, 2019 to June 30, 2022, Washington's water utility, D.C. Water and Sewer Authority, had 0 violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. For more details on the violations, please see our violation history section below. This assessment is based on the D.C. Water and Sewer Authority water system, other water systems in the city may have different results.

While tap water that meets the EPA health guidelines generally won’t make you sick to your stomach, it can still contain regulated and unregulated contaminants present in trace amounts that could potentially cause health issues over the long-run. These trace contaminants may also impact immunocompromised and vulnerable individuals.

The EPA is reviewing if it’s current regulations around pollutant levels in tap water are strict enough, and the health dangers posed by unregulated pollutants, like PFAS.

Water Quality Report for Washington Tap Water

The most recent publicly available numbers for measured contaminant levels in Washington tap water are in its 2020 Water Quality Report. As you can see, there are levels which the EPA considers to be acceptable, but being below the maximum allowable level doesn’t necessarily mean the water is healthy.

Lead in tap water, for example, is currently allowed at up to 15ppb by the EPA, but it has set the ideal goal for lead at zero. This highlights how meeting EPA standards doesn’t necessarily mean local tap water is healthy.

EPA regulations continue to change as it evaluates the long term impacts of chemicals and updates drinking water acceptable levels. The rules around arsenic, as well as, lead and copper are currently being re-evaluated.

There are also a number of "emerging" contaminants that are not currently. For example, PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), for which the EPA has issued a health advisory. PFAS are called "forever chemicals" since they tend not to break down in the environment or the human body and can accumulate over time.

We recommend looking at the contaminants present in Washington's water quality reports, or getting your home's tap water tested to see if you should be filtering your water.

Washington Tap Water Safe Drinking Water Act Violation History - Prior 10 Years

Below is a ten year history of violations for the water system named D.C. Water and Sewer Authority for Washington in District of Columbia. For more details please see the "What do these Violations Mean?" section below.

Is there Lead in Washington Water?

Based on the EPA’s ECHO Database, 90% of the samples taken from the Washington water system, D.C. Water and Sewer Authority, between sample start date and sample end date, were at or below, 0.0027 mg/L of lead in Washington water. This is 18.0% of the 0.015 mg/L action level. This means 10% of the samples taken from Washington contained more lead.

While Washington water testing may have found 0.0027 mg/L of lead in its water, that does not mean your water source has the same amount. The amount of lead in water in a city can vary greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood, or even building to building. Many buildings, particularly older ones, have lead pipes or service lines which can be a source of contamination. To find out if your home has lead, we recommend getting you water tested.

No amount of lead in water is healthy, only less dangerous. As lead accumulates in our bodies over time, even exposure to relatively small amounts can have negative health effects. For more information, please check out our Lead FAQ page.

Are there PFAS in Washington Tap Water?

Currently, testing tap water for PFAS isn’t mandated on a national level. We do have a list of military bases where there have been suspected or confirmed leaks. There appears to be no military bases near Washington with suspected leaks.

With many potential sources of PFAS in tap water across the US, the best information we currently have about which cities have PFAS in their water is this ewg map, which you can check to see if Washington has been evaluated for yet.

Our stance is better safe than sorry, and that it makes sense to try to purify the tap water just in case.

What do these Violations Mean?

Safe Drinking Water Act Violations categories split into two groups, health based, and non-health based. Generally, health based violations are more serious, though non-health based violations can also be cause for concern.

Health Based Violations

  1. Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) - maximum allowed contaminant level was exceeded.
  2. Maximum residual disinfectant levels (MRDLs) - maximum allowed disinfectant level was exceeded.
  3. Other violations (Other) - the exact required process to reduce the amounts of contaminants in drinking water was not followed.

Non-Health Based Violations

  1. Monitoring and reporting violations (MR, MON) - failure to conduct the required regular monitoring of drinking water quality, and/or to submit monitoring results on time.
  2. Public notice violations (Other) - failure to immediately alert consumers if there is a serious problem with their drinking water that may pose a risk to public health.
  3. Other violations (Other) - miscellaneous violations, such as failure to issue annual consumer confidence reports or maintain required records.

SDWA Table Key

Field Description
Compliance Period Dates of the compliance period.
Status Current status of the violation.
  • Resolved - The violation has at least one resolving enforcement action. In SDWIS, this indicates that either the system has returned to compliance from the violation, the rule that was violated was no longer applicable, or no further action was needed.
  • Archived - The violation is not Resolved, but is more than five years past its compliance period end date. In keeping with the Enforcement Response Policy, the violation no longer contributes to the public water system's overall compliance status. Unresolved violations are also marked as Archived when a system ceases operations (becomes inactive).
  • Addressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and is addressed by one or more formal enforcement actions.
  • Unaddressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and has not been addressed by formal enforcement.
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Health-Based? Whether the violation is health based.
Category Code
The category of violation that is reported.
  • TT - Treatment Technique Violation
  • MRDL - Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level
  • Other - Other Violation
  • MCL - Maximum Contaminant Level Violation
  • MR - Monitoring and Reporting
  • MON - Monitoring Violation
  • RPT - Reporting Violation
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Code A full description of violation codes can be accessed in the SDWA_REF_CODE_VALUES (CSV) table.
Contaminant Code A code value that represents a contaminant for which a public water system has incurred a violation of a primary drinking water regulation.
Rule Code Code for a National Drinking Water rule.
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rule
  • 121 - Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 122 - Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 123 - Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Ground Water Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 331 - Nitrates
  • 332 - Arsenic
  • 333 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 111 - Revised Total Coliform Rule
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Rule Group Code Code that uniquely identifies a rule group.
  • 120 - Surface Water Treatment Rules
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Groundwater Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 330 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rules
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
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Rule Family Code Code for rule family.
  • 100 - Microbials
  • 200 - Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 300 - Chemicals
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
show details

For more clarification please visit the EPA's data dictionary.

Washington Water - Frequently Asked Questions

WHERE DOES OUR DRINKING WATER COME FROM?
The District of Columbia’s drinking water comes from the Potomac River. The Washington Aqueduct (Aqueduct) withdraws about 140 million gallons of water each day from intakes at Great Falls and Little Falls. DC Water purchases treated drinking water from the Aqueduct which is owned and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Aqueduct filters, cleans, and fortifies water at the Dalecarlia and McMillan treatment plants to meet all water quality standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). During the treatment process, drinking water is enhanced with beneficial compounds like fluoride that improve public health. DC Water Delivers Treated Drinking Water from 5 the Washington Aqueduct
WHAT IS DRINKING WATER TREATMENT?
Like most public water systems around the country, the Aqueduct uses a multi-step treatment process to turn “raw” water from the Potomac River into clean, safe drinking water. The treatment process includes sedimentation, filtration, fluoridation, pH adjustment, disinfection using free chlorine and chloramine (a combination of chlorine and ammonia), and corrosion control using orthophosphate. Chlorine is commonly used by water utilities to kill viruses and bacteria that can be found in rivers and other sources of drinking water. The Aqueduct first adds chlorine and then adds ammonia to create chloramine, a more persistent disinfectant that keeps water clean as it travels through DC Water’s pipe system. DC Water continuously monitors the drinking water to ensure that safe disinfectant levels are maintained in the distribution system. Even at safe levels, it is necessary for chloramine to be removed from water used for kidney dialysis and aquariums. Contact your kidney dialysis center, physician or local pet store about water treatment for removing chloramine. For more information about chloramine, visit dcwater.com/water-faqs. Why does water have a strong chlorine smell in the spring? Most of the year, the Aqueduct produces drinking water with chloramine as the residual disinfectant that keeps it clean. For a short time each spring, the Aqueduct temporarily switches from using chloramine to only chlorine. This change is standard practice for utilities that use chloramine—it helps keep pipes clean, and optimizes water quality throughout the year. The level of chlorine is safe for consumption, but you can reduce the chlorine smell and taste by placing an open pitcher of water in the fridge. If you haven’t used water in several hours, let the cold water run for 2 minutes before filling the pitcher.
HOW IS CHLORINE USED TO CLEAN WATER?
Chlorine is commonly used by water utilities to kill viruses and bacteria that can be found in rivers and other sources of drinking water. The Aqueduct first adds chlorine and then adds ammonia to create chloramine, a more persistent disinfectant that keeps water clean as it travels through DC Water’s pipe system. DC Water continuously monitors the drinking water to ensure that safe disinfectant levels are maintained in the distribution system. Even at safe levels, it is necessary for chloramine to be removed from water used for kidney dialysis and aquariums. Contact your kidney dialysis center, physician or local pet store about water treatment for removing chloramine. For more information about chloramine, visit dcwater.com/water-faqs. Why does water have a strong chlorine smell in the spring? Most of the year, the Aqueduct produces drinking water with chloramine as the residual disinfectant that keeps it clean. For a short time each spring, the Aqueduct temporarily switches from using chloramine to only chlorine. This change is standard practice for utilities that use chloramine—it helps keep pipes clean, and optimizes water quality throughout the year. The level of chlorine is safe for consumption, but you can reduce the chlorine smell and taste by placing an open pitcher of water in the fridge. If you haven’t used water in several hours, let the cold water run for 2 minutes before filling the pitcher.
HOW IS OUR WATER TREATED?
Screens Large debris such as branches and scrap wood are removed from raw water. Pre-Sedimentation Large particles in untreated water settle out naturally. Coagulation Coagulants are added to the water to cause particles to stick together when the water is gently mixed (known as flocculation), creating larger, heavier particles Sedimentation Large particles settle to the bottom of sedimentation tanks. Filtration Gravity filters, composed of hard coal (anthracite), sand, and gravel layers, remove smaller particles still remaining in the water. Fluoridation Fluoride is added to protect teeth (as recommended by the American Dental Association). Corrosion Control Lime and Caustic Soda are added to adjust pH for optimum corrosion control. Orthophosphate is added to prevent corrosion in pipes. Primary Disinfection Chlorine is added to the water to kill potentially harmful organisms before the water leaves the plant. Secondary Disinfection Ammonia is added just before the water leaves the plant to create chloramine. Chloramine maintains the disinfection in the distribution system.
HOW DO WE GET OUR DRINKING WATER?
DC Water distributes about 92 million gallons of clean drinking water every day to more than 700,000 District residents, and our commercial and governmental customers in the District of Columbia, and parts of Maryland and Virginia. Drinking water travels through a complex system of about 1,350 miles of water mains throughout the city.
HOW DOES DC WATER MONITOR WATER QUALITY?
DC Water’s monitoring program—far more extensive than required by law—demonstrates that the quality of the District’s drinking water remains high and meets all federal drinking water standards. Our dedicated team performed more than 40,000 tests from 6,500 water samples taken at points throughout the city. These tests confirmed that our city’s tap water meets or exceeds all regulations set by the Safe Drinking Water Act. The Safe Drinking Water Act defines the term
WHAT ARE THE DRINKING WATER REGULATIONS?
The Safe Drinking Water Act defines the term
HOW CAN SOURCES OF DRINKING WATER BECOME POLLUTED?
Across the nation, rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs and wells are sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water). Rain and melting snow travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, dissolving naturally occurring minerals and picking up substances resulting from animal and human activity and carrying these pollutants to our drinking water sources. Contaminants that may be present in source water include:
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?
Take pride in the Potomac! The best way to be a steward of the river is to take care of our watershed —the area of land that drains to the river.
HOW DOES DC WATER ADDRESS LEAD?
DC Water works with the Aqueduct to control corrosion of pipes and plumbing throughout the District, which minimizes the release of lead into water. DC Water meets all EPA standards for lead in water, and continues to monitor for lead at the tap, replace lead service pipes, and help customers identify and remove lead sources on their property. DC Water is fully committed to achieving a Lead Free DC. Learn more about lead pipe replacement programs on page 15. Water is essentially lead-free when it leaves the Aqueduct’s treatment facility and travels through DC Water’s distribution system. Clean water can come in contact with lead as it flows through plumbing in and around your home. Lead enters water through corroding plumbing materials including lead service pipes, galvanized iron household pipes, lead solder, and brass faucets, valves, or fittings. 12 2021 DRINKING WATER QUALITY REPORT
HOW DOES LEAD GET INTO WATER?
Water is essentially lead-free when it leaves the Aqueduct’s treatment facility and travels through DC Water’s distribution system. Clean water can come in contact with lead as it flows through plumbing in and around your home. Lead enters water through corroding plumbing materials including lead service pipes, galvanized iron household pipes, lead solder, and brass faucets, valves, or fittings. 12 2021 DRINKING WATER QUALITY REPORT
HOW CAN I GET RID OF LEAD?
Identify and remove all sources of lead to eliminate the risk of lead in water.
HOW CAN I REDUCE MY RISK OF LEAD EXPOSURE?
If you have lead pipes, fixtures, or are unsure about the material type, take steps to minimize possible exposure until all sources of lead are removed.
HOW CAN DC WATER HELP REPLACE LEAD SERVICE PIPES?
Like most older cities, homes built before the 1980’s were typically built with a lead service line—the pipe that connects the city water supply to your household plumbing. DC Water operates several programs for lead service line replacement. DC Water always pays for lead pipe replacement in public space, and District funds are now available to help customers pay for replacement on private property. Private-side Partial Replacements For residents with lead pipe on private property, and non-lead pipe in public space, the Lead Pipe Replacement Assistance Program (LPRAP) uses District funds to provide a free or discounted replacement. Each property owner can receive a 50% discount, regardless of income. Some residents will qualify for 80% or 100% coverage depending on household size and income. Property owners can visit dcwater.com/LPRAP to learn how to get a cost proposal for work from a qualified plumber, and then apply with the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE). Private-side Partial Replacements If only the portion on private property is lead, the District will pay for 50%, 80%, or 100% of private-side costs.
HOW DO I CONTACT WASHINGTON CUSTOMER SERVICE?
To contact customer service for the Washington water provider, D.C. Water and Sewer Authority, please use the information below.
By Phone: 202-364-3148
By Email: anjuman.islam@dcwater.com
By Mail: 5000 OVERLOOK DR
WASHINGTON, DC, 20032
HOW TO PAY BILL FOR D.C. WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY
Already have an account?

Existing customers can login to their D.C. Water and Sewer Authority account to pay their Washington water bill by clicking here.

Want to create a new account?

If you want to pay your D.C. Water and Sewer Authority bill online and haven't made an account yet, you can create an account online. Please click here to create your account to pay your Washington water bill.

Want to pay without an account?

If you don't want to make an account, or can't remember your account, you can make a one-time payment towards your Washington water bill without creating an account using a one time payment portal with your account number and credit or debit card. Click here to make a one time payment.

HOW TO START & STOP WASHINGTON WATER SERVICE
Starting Your Service

Moving to a new house or apartment in Washington means you will often need to put the water in your name with D.C. Water and Sewer Authority. In order to put the water in your name, please click the link to the start service form below. Start service requests for water bills typically take two business days.

Start Service Form

Want to create a new account?

Leaving your house or apartment in Washington means you will likely need to take your name off of the water bill with D.C. Water and Sewer Authority. In order to take your name off the water bill, please click the link to the stop service form below. Stop service for water bills requests typically take two business days.

Stop Service Form

Is Washington D.C. Tap Water Safe To Drink? Tap water & safety quality

The estimated price of bottled water

$1.77 in USD (1.5-liter)

USER SUBMITTED RATINGS

Washington tap water
  • Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility 33% Low
  • Water Pollution 49% Moderate
  • Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility 67% High
  • Water Quality 51% Moderate

The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in Washington, measured on a scale from 0% (lowest) to 100% (highest).

Related FAQS

Contaminants


D.C. Water and Sewer Authority

EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the Army Corps of Engineers and EPA Region 3, as well as information from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO). For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (January 2019 - March 2019), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.

Utility details

  • Serves: 632323
  • Data available: 2012-2017
  • Data Source: Purchased surface water
  • Total: 36

Contaminants That Exceed Guidelines

  • Arsenic*
  • Bromodichloromethane
  • Chloroform
  • Chromium (hexavalent)
  • Dibromochloromethane
  • Dichloroacetic acid
  • Nitrate*
  • Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
  • Trichloroacetic acid

Other Detected Contaminants

  • Aluminum*
  • Antimony*
  • Atrazine*
  • Barium*
  • Bromochloroacetic acid
  • Bromoform
  • Caffeine*
  • Chlorate
  • Cyanide*
  • Dalapon*
  • DCPA mono- and di-acid degradates*
  • Dibromoacetic acid
  • Fluoride*
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
  • Lithium*
  • Manganese*
  • Metolachlor*
  • Molybdenum
  • Monobromoacetic acid
  • Monochloroacetic acid
  • N-Nitrosodi-N-butylamine*
  • N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA)*
  • Perchlorate*
  • Simazine*
  • Strontium
  • Thorium*
  • Vanadium

Reminder

Always take extra precautions, the water may be safe to drink when it leaves the sewage treatment plant but it may pick up pollutants during its way to your tap. We advise that you ask locals or hotel staff about the water quality. Also, note that different cities have different water mineral contents.

Sources and Resources

Current Weather in Washington DC

WASHINGTON, D.C. WEATHER

Some of the Convenience Stores in Washington DC

B&K Convenience Store
B&K Convenience Store
  • B&K CONVENIENCE STORE
  • Alabama Convenience Store
  • 7-Eleven
  • Wawa
  • New York Convenience Store
  • Union Kitchen Grocery
  • Sunoco Gas Station
  • CVS
  • Mac Market & Deli
  • Argyle Market
  • Gallery Gourmet Market & Dry Cleaners
  • Chinatown Market
  • Walgreens
  • Flavor Us Market
  • The Corner Market
  • Uptown Mart

Estimated Price of Bottled Water

VolumeUSDEURGBP
1.5-liter$2.07€1.86£1.61

If you think that tap water is safe for your baby, think again. If you”ve had your baby or child tested recently, you”ll find that they have higher levels of toxins than adults. The contaminants are mostly from agricultural runoff.

It”s well known that children are more susceptible to developing kidney stones and other serious health problems from drinking contaminated drinking water. When the body cannot process these poisons correctly, it can cause problems like:

These toxic substances can enter your baby”s teeth, stomach and liver. Once in the body, they can damage cell DNA and lead to cancer.

What”s even worse is that these chemicals can be passed onto the unborn baby in the womb. Exposure can cause a miscarriage and increase the chances of having defects. Not only that, but the placenta and umbilical cord can also contain high levels of toxins.

The Washington DC tap water is safe to drink. Tap water in public areas in the District of Columbia, region is also safe to drinkTap water tastes excellent, and it’s free! Ask for tap water wherever, and if it’s unsafe, they will inform you.

D.C. Water provides over 100 million gallons of clean, safe drinking water to our customers in Washington, DC, every day. To guarantee that water meets or exceeds the federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards as it runs through pipes, they conduct thousands of water quality tests each year. At DC Water, they are committed to providing drinking water at the lowest possible price while protecting the health of our community.

Washington DC, USA

D.C. Water operates with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Washington Aqueduct to regulate corrosion of pipes and plumbing all over the District. The operation minimizes the release of lead into the water. D.C. Water meets all EPA standards for lead in water and continues to monitor, replace lead service pipes, and help customers distinguish and remove lead sources on their premises.

Source of Water in Washington, District of Columbia

The Washington tap water originates from surface water. D.C. Water obtains drinking water from the Washington Aqueduct member of the Army Corps of Engineers. The Aqueduct sources the water from the Potomac River at Great Falls and Little Falls, north of the District. The Aqueduct treats the water, and D.C. Water distributes it over 1,300 miles of water pipes everywhere in the District of Columbia.

The supplier does a few steps to clean up waterways. The Clean Rivers Project continues to reduce pollution into Rock Creek and the Potomac and Anacostia rivers. A newly improved skimmer boats Flotsam and Jetsam remove hundreds of tons of trash from surface water each year. The monitoring program keeps a close eye on rising compounds that could affect river health and water quality.

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