IMPORTANT CONSTRUCTION INFORMATION FOR RESIDENTS DC Water is Improving Water Infrastructure in Your Neighborhood

Replace Lead and Galvanized Iron Pipes for FREE

DCWATER.COM

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY

IMPORTANT IN DURING UPCOMING INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS ON YOUR BLOCK, DC WATER WILL REPLACE YOUR LEAD OR GALVANIZED IRON SERVICE PIPE FOR FREE. Please read this important information about what you should expect before, during and after construction.

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THE WATER SERVICE THE WATER MAIN TO PLUMBING.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: DC Water Customer Service: 202-354-3600 24-Hour Command Center: 202-612-3400 Si usted necesita la versión en Español de este panfleto por favor llamar al 202-354-3600. DC Water also provides translation assistance with 150 languages.

COLD WATER

TANK WATER

CONTENTS IMPORTANT INFORMATION

1

BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER CONSTRUCTION

2-4

HOUSEHOLD PLUMBING ISSUESS

5

LEAD PIPE REPLACEMENT

6-8 LEAD PIPE REPLA

LEAD, WATER AND YOUR HEALTH GENERAL TIPS TO REDUCE LEAD IN DRINKING WATER

9

During DC W iron ser temporary increase in lea and pro any lead.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION UNDERSTANDING YOUR PROPERTY LINE AND WATER SERVICE PIPE Your home’s property line is likely somewhere between the sidewalk and house (you can view property lines on DC Water’s Service Line Map at dcwater.com/servicemap). The homeowner owns the entire water service pipe and DC Water is responsible to maintain the portion in public space. The material of a water service pipe can vary from home to home in the District and some households still have lead service pipes.

THE WATER SERVICE PIPE CONNECTS THE WATER MAIN TO YOUR HOUSEHOLD PLUMBING. *property operty line

public space

* location of your property line may vary

new public water main COLD WATER

private property

water service pipe HOT WATER

EXPANSION TANK WATER HEATER

INSTALLING A THERMAL EXPANSION DEVICE Homeowners must ensure a thermal expansion device is installed on the household plumbing system, after DC Water replaces your water service pipe. • see page 4

LEAD PIPE REPLACEMENT During construction, DC Water will replace service lines in public space, and the lead or galvanized iron service line on your property if you agree to have it replaced. After a lead pipe replacement, a temporary increase in lead will likely occur in household tap water. We will flush your line outside and provide you instructions to flush inside your home and water filters to minimize exposure to any lead. • see page 6-8

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BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER CONSTRUCTION Read what you can expect from this process. DC Water’s responsibility Homeowner’s responsibility

BEFORE CONSTRUCTION MARKING UTILITIES WITH PAINT To prevent hitting underground utility lines, the law requires Miss Utility (missutility.net) to find and mark utilities with temporary paint before digging projects. You will see these paint markings on your lawn, sidewalk and street up to two weeks before construction. RELOCATING PLANTS AND SHRUBS You should temporarily move any favorite plants within five feet of the Miss Utility blue markings. Typically, the water service pipe should follow a straight line from the Miss Utility blue marking to the house. DC Water is not responsible for damaged plants. LOCATE AND MARK UNDERGROUND ITEMS Locate and mark underground items, such as electronic dog fences or irrigation systems that may interfere with the service pipe replacement, and be sure to notify the contractor. DC Water is not responsible for damage to these objects if they are not identified by the homeowner prior to construction. NO PARKING NOTIFICATION “No Parking” signs will be posted on your street 72 hours before construction begins. Signs will provide the dates and times for no parking in designated areas. In most cases, there will be restrictions on parking spaces. DC Water works closely with the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) to minimize street closures and traffic disruptions. WATER SERVICE SHUTOFF DC Water will provide a 48-hour notification prior to water service shutoff at your home. We recommend you collect a supply of water in advance for drinking and cooking purposes. ACCESS TO YOUR OUTSIDE FAUCET On the day of replacement, open the valve to an outside faucet and make the faucet available for use. This valve is usually located in your basement. After we replace or reconnect your water service, we will need to flush your water service pipe by opening the outside faucet. PROTECTING YOUR HOUSEHOLD PLUMBING You should contact a licensed plumber if you are concerned about your plumbing system or thermal expansion. The licensed plumber can inspect your plumbing system to determine your options for meeting the D.C. Plumbing Code’s requirements regarding thermal expansion. Household galvanized plumbing can also cause water quality issues, such as low pressure and discolored water.

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DURING CONSTRUCTION

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DIGGING IN FRONT OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD During construction, we will be working in public space, but depending on the location of the property line, we may need to dig in your yard. The contractor may need to dig through lawns, sidewalks and streets. To minimize digging and avoid tree and root damage, the contractor will use a trenchless technology wherever possible. DC Water contractors take photographs of the repair area prior to construction to ensure it is properly restored. In most cases, your fence, retaining wall, porch or hedges will not be disturbed. In special circumstances, DC Water will work with a DDOT tree expert to develop a plan and work around major roots. INSTALLING A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE The DCRA Construction Codes Supplement of 2013 (2012 International Plumbing Code) requires the public water system to be designed, installed and maintained to prevent contamination from non-potable liquids, solids or gases being introduced into the public water supply. To comply with the D.C. Plumbing Code, DC Water will install a backflow prevention device in the outside water meter pit, during your water service pipe replacement. This device helps prevent contamination due to backflow into the public water system. TEMPORARY INTERRUPTIONS IN STREET AND SIDEWALK TRAFFIC Street and sidewalk traffic will be temporarily detoured during construction. All holes will be filled or covered with a plate at the end of each day. AVOID FLUSHING TOILET WHEN WATER IS SHUT OFF When the contractor disconnects your water service, the interruption to your water supply is typically less than two hours. During this time, avoid flushing your toilet – this prevents the toilet valve from clogging with debris.

continued next page: After Construction

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AFTER CONSTRUCTION. . . continued from Before, During and After Construction

HOUSEHOLD PL

FLUSHING FROM YOUR OUTSIDE FAUCET After construction, the contractor will flush your water service pipe through an outside faucet to remove pipe particles and other sediment. Sediment can dislodge from your plumbing during the pipe replacement process and reduce the flow of water in your home, particularly if you have older plumbing.

THE HOMEO THE HOME.

RESTORING THE WORK AREA DC Water contractors will restore areas behind the curb after pipe replacement (assuming no weather delays), including the sidewalk and your yard. DC Water contractors will re-seed lawns and tree spaces, and restore sidewalks. STREET RESTORATION Streets that are disturbed during construction will be patched and typically restored within 60 days. Some streets may require more than 60 days if additional work is scheduled and is dependent on weather conditions. DC Water is responsible for final repaving at completion of water main or street restoration work. INSTALLING A THERMAL EXPANSION DEVICE What is thermal expansion? Thermal expansion is an increase in water pressure that occurs when water is heated. This increase in pressure can cause leaks in household pipes and faucets, damage the water heater, and other plumbing problems. A thermal expansion device can prevent these issues. What is a thermal expansion device? A thermal expansion device safely manages changes in pressure caused by thermal expansion. This device helps prevent leaks and damage to a household plumbing system. What is backflow prevention? Backflow is the reverse flow of contaminants into the public water system. DCRA Construction Codes Supplement of 2013 (2012 International Plumbing Code) requires the public water system to be designed, installed and maintained to prevent contamination from non-potable liquids, solids or gases being introduced into the public water supply. To comply with the D.C. Plumbing Code, DC Water installs a backflow prevention device in the outside water meter pit during water service pipe replacement to prevent the reverse flow of water from your home into the public water system. This device creates a closed water system in your household and protects the public water supply from contamination. DCWATER . COM 4

When is a thermal expansion device required? The DCRA Construction Codes Supplement of 2013 (2012 International Plumbing Code) requires homeowners to have a thermal expansion device installed on their household plumbing system, when a backflow prevention device is installed on the water service pipe. As a result, all homeowners must ensure a thermal expansion device is installed on their plumbing system, after DC Water replaces their water service pipe. Some household plumbing systems already have a thermal expansion device installed. The most common device is a thermal expansion tank located near the water heater. If you are unsure a thermal expansion device is installed on your plumbing system, contact a licensed plumber to discuss their options. More Info For questions related to thermal expansion or backflow prevention, contact the DC Water Cross Connection Control Program at 202-612-3440 or [email protected].

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HOUSEHOLD PLUMBING ISSUES THE HOMEOWNER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL PLUMBING ON PRIVATE PROPERTY AND IN THE HOME. DISCOLORED WATER If older pipes are disturbed or sediment is dislodged during construction, you may experience discolored water. Run the cold water tap for according to detailed flushing instructions on page 7. Removing and cleaning faucet aerators will assist in flushing the sediment from your plumbing. HOUSEHOLD PLUMBING NOISES If air becomes trapped in the pipes, you may experience knocking, banging sounds or sudden bursts of water when you turn on the faucet. Run water through all your faucets and make sure valves under all your sinks are fully open. LOW WATER PRESSURE After construction, you may experience low water pressure if air or sediment becomes trapped in the pipe. If you have old household pipes, especially galvanized pipes, sediment build up can cause low or no water flow. In addition, a greater flow may cause older pipes to leak or even burst. After flushing the cold water tap, clean faucet aerators. You may need to contact a plumber to clean a blocked faucet. Contact a plumber to determine if you need to replace old pipes inside your home, especially galvanized pipes. If there is no water pressure throughout the entire house, please contact the DC Water 24-Hour Command Center at 202-612-3400. WATER HEATER DRIPS OR LEAKS If you experience pressure surges or high pressure, your water heater may leak after construction. Be sure the water heater thermostat, temperature and pressure valve are working properly by consulting with your owner’s manual or contacting a licensed plumber. GALVANIZED PIPES Galvanized pipes are old, iron pipes that were installed inside many homes built before the 1960s. These pipes can release lead in water if you have, or once had, a lead service pipe. When lead is released from a lead service pipe and passes through indoor galvanized plumbing (particularly over decades of use), lead can accumulate on the inside, corroded walls of this plumbing. Lead release from galvanized pipes can vary from home to home and can continue to occur even after the lead service pipe is replaced. Galvanized pipes can cause other water quality problems, such as low water pressure and discolored water. You should consider replacing galvanized plumbing with another plumbing material. Contact a licensed plumber about replacing household plumbing. If pipe replacement is not an option, use a water filter until all sources of lead have been removed. To learn more about galvanized plumbing, contact the Drinking Water Division at 202-612-3440.

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LEAD PIPE REPLACEMENT

LEAD PIPE REPLA

DISTRICT FUNDS WILL COVER 100% OF THE COSTS TO REPLACE THE LEAD OR GALVANIZED IRON SERVICE PIPE WITH COPPER PIPE. The property owner has 120 days to agree to permit DC Water to replace the lead service line on their property for FREE. If they agree, they should fill out and sign the agreement previously ously ousl ou slyy provided sl pr prov by DC Water. Alternatively, the property owner can provide ide writte written te authorization (email) for a tenant to sign the agreement. IF WE CONFIRM YOUR WATER SERVICE PIPE IS LEAD OR GALVANIZED IRON AND YOU HAVE COMPLETED AND SIGNED THE AGREEMENT TO REPLACE THE PORTION ON YOUR PROPERTY, PLEASE READ THIS IMPORTANT INFORMATION. SCHEDULING PIPE REPLACEMENT ON PRIVATE PROPERTY If you have returned a signed agreement, the DC Water contractor ctor ct or will wilililll contact w co you to sch schedule a date for the lead pipe replacement. ACCESS TO INSIDE WATER CONNECTION The contractor will need access inside your home where the existing service pipe enters the building. You will need to move any items including boxes, furniture, washers and dryers that block pipes inside or outside your home where the existing service pipe enters the building. YOU MUST BE HOME DURING PIPE REPLACEMENT ON PRIVATE PROPERTY You must be home on the date and at the time of lead p pipe pip ipee re ip repl replacement pl on private property. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to provide access to thee plumbing plumbi pl bi connection inside your home. The replacement work at your house should take less than one day. Mail the completed agreement in the prepaid envelope provided, or email a copy to [email protected]. If you need assistance with completing or returning the agreement call us at (202) 787-4044. After a lead pipe replacement, lead particles may remain in your plumbing and a temporary increase in lead will likely occur in your tap water. Lead levels can potentially remain main elevated ele for a few months after a lead pipe is replaced. Follow these instructions to flush the lead particles out.

IMMEDIAT IMMEDIA DIATEL ATEL ELY Y FL FLUS USH US H YO 1. Flush tub and laundry ro lowest floors to the upp the water

2. Flush all faucets used for a. Remove the aerator ( b. Open the cold water over the faucet neck t c. Clean the aerator and

Do not open a hot water condition, install a new ae

USE FIL WATER If your lead service pipe is lead removal and replacem use filtered tap water for and infant formula. If wate water tap until you notice filtering it for drinking and

• Once a week for a mon flush all faucets used for • If the house is vacant for #1 above. • Do not use hot tap wate used for making ice, bev

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IMMEDIAT IMMEDIATELY DIATEL ATEL ELY Y FL FLUS FLUSH USH US H YO YOUR HOUSE HOUSEHOLD PLUMBING 1. Flush tub and laundry room sink faucets for 10 minutes each with cold water, moving from the lowest floors to the upper floors. The faucet must be fully open to move the particles out with the water. 2. Flush all faucets used for drinking or cooking for 10 minutes. a. Remove the aerator (the screen traps particles!). b. Open the cold water faucet to maximum flow (the water might spray, you can drape a towel over the faucet neck to minimize the spray). c. Clean the aerator and screw back onto faucet. Do not open a hot water faucet until the system is completely flushed. If an aerator is in poor condition, install a new aerator (available at local hardware stores). USE FILTERED WATER If your lead service pipe is replaced, DC Water will provide you with a water filter certified for lead removal and replacement cartridges. For at least six months after lead pipe replacement, use filtered tap water for drinking and cooking, including water used for making ice, beverages and infant formula. If water isn’t used for more than six hours (including overnight), flush cold water tap until you notice a temperature change, then run for an additional 2 minutes before filtering it for drinking and cooking. • Once a week for a month following the lead pipe replacement, follow Step #2 above and flush all faucets used for drinking and cooking. • If the house is vacant for more than a week following the lead pipe replacement, repeat Step #1 above. • Do not use hot tap water for drinking and cooking. Always use cold water including water used for making ice, beverages and infant formula.

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LEAD PIPE REPLACEMENT continued

LEAD, WATER AN

FOR SIX MONTHS AFTER CONSTRUCTION • Use filtered cold tap water for cooking and drinking. Be sure to replace the filter cartridge as recommended by the manufacturer. • If water is not used for more than six hours (including overnight), flush the cold water tap for two minutes prior to drinking and cooking. • Periodically, remove and clean all faucet aerators.

EXPOSURE TO LEAD IN ALL AGE GROUPS.

AFTER SIX MONTHS • Continue to always remove and clean aerators every 3 months to remove any particles that may be captured. Replace aerators annually. • If you are pregnant or have children under age six, you should use filtered tap water for drinking and cooking until all sources of lead have been removed. This includes water used for making ice, beverages and infant formula. • Do not use hot tap water for drinking and cooking. Always use cold tap water. • If water is not used for more than six hours, flush the cold water tap for two minutes prior to drinking and cooking. • If you have household galvanized plumbing, continue to use filtered tap water for all drinking and cooking purposes until these pipes are removed. These pipes can continue to release lead in drinking water after the lead pipe is replaced. • If you continue to use a filter, contact the manufacturer for replacement cartridges or be sure to purchase a filter that is labeled and certified to meet NSF Standard 53 for lead removal.

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GENERAL TIPS TO

FREE LEAD TEST KIT If your lead or galvanized iron service line is replaced, DC Water will deliver a lead test kit to your home approximately three to four months after pipe replacement. The lead test will provide information on lead levels in your household drinking water after pipe replacement. Learn more at dcwater.com/reducelead.

DO NO T TAP W Hot tap water can cause a Always use cold tap water, and infant formula.

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LEAD, WATER AND YOUR HEALTH EXPOSURE TO LEAD IN DRINKING WATER CAN CAUSE SERIOUS HEALTH EFFECTS IN ALL AGE GROUPS. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or exacerbate existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these adverse health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems. The cutting or other physical disturbance of the lead pipe during service line work causes a spike in lead released into your water. Therefore, we strongly encourage homeowners to agree to replace the private side and public side of the service line at the same time. Also, for the homeowner’s awareness, the water service line pipe material must be disclosed when the home is sold and to all renters. Learn more at dcwater.com/lead.

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GENERAL TIPS TO REDUCE LEAD IN DRINKING WATER RUN YOUR COLD WATER TAP FOR TWO MINUTES BEFORE USING IT FOR DRINKING OR COOKING. Lead and other metals can dissolve in water when it sits in pipes for a few hours.

DO NOT USE HOT TAP WATER FOR DRINKING OR COOKING. Hot tap water can cause a greater amount of lead to release from umbing. Always use cold tap water, including water used for making ice, beverages and infant formula.

REMOVE AND CLEAN FAUCET AERATORS EVERY MONTH. Particles can collect in the aerator screen located at the tip of your faucet. Aerators should also be replaced every year.

IF HAVE A KNOWN OR SUSPECTED SOURCE OF LEAD, USE COLD, FILTERED TAP WATER. Use filtered tap water for drinking and cooking, including water used for making ng ice, beverages and infant formula. Routinely replace filter cartridges. Over time, filters can accumulate metals and bacteria.

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DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY

1385 Canal Street, SE Washington, DC 20003

fpo. please place the FSC logo here (PMS 369 if possible) and space with others evenly. thanks

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