Galvanized Requiring Replacement Letter

YOUR WATER SERVICE LINE MAY CONTAIN LEAD.

PLEASE READ THIS IMPORTANT MESSAGE AND
SHARE WITH ANYONE USING WATER AT THIS PROPERTY.

PROPERTY MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO POST AND
SHARE WITH RESIDENTS AND TENANTS.

This letter serves as your annual notification regarding your water service line material, as recorded by WSSC Water. You will continue to receive these notices each year until WSSC Water verifies that your service line is no longer classified as a lead line (through replacement or verification it is non-lead). Please read this letter carefully, as some information has been updated from the initial notification last year.

WSSC Water is proud to implement the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule, an important national public health initiative to remove lead from America’s drinking water. This multi-year rule focuses on identifying water service line pipe materials, including those that are customer owned, on private property.

We have been reviewing plumbing records dating back more than 100 years and created an inventory of the materials used for water service lines, which are the pipes that carry water from WSSC Water’s water main to your property. A portion of the water service line is utility owned while the other portion is customer owned.

Based on our extensive records review, WSSC Water believes that a portion of the water service line at this property is made from galvanized material. If you believe your service line is a different material, then please review the instructions in this letter on how to complete the online survey.

Galvanized pipes can capture lead released from upstream lead service lines, which could then be released into your drinking water. Our records show that the utility-owned service line is, or once was, lead or its material is unknown. As a result, the EPA classifies the customer-owned pipe as Galvanized Requiring Replacement (GRR). People living in homes with a lead or GRR service line may have an increased risk of exposure to lead from their drinking water.

To ensure your safety, we are providing tools and services to identify your water service line pipe material.

There are three ways to do this:

Clearly identified contractors working for WSSC Water, known as Lead Free Group (LFG), are canvassing neighborhoods checking the pipe material where it enters the home. This is a free service. After the pipe material verification, LFG will share results with homeowners.
If you are not home when LFG is in your neighborhood, or you don’t want to wait, please call 301-206-7200 to schedule an appointment.
You can perform the pipe type survey yourself with our online tool, which we describe in this letter.

STEPS TO REDUCE LEAD IN DRINKING WATER

These steps are recommended to reduce lead exposure in drinking water. This isn't a full list, and some actions may reduce lead in water more than others.

Use a filter certified by an American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-accredited certifier to reduce lead, which is effective in reducing lead exposure (ANSI 53).
Clean your faucet aerators to get rid of sediment, debris and possible lead particles.
Use cold water for drinking, cooking and preparing baby formula, as lead dissolves more easily in hot water. Note: Boiling water does not remove lead.
Run the cold-water tap for approximately five minutes after the water sits six hours or longer before use to flush water through the service line and plumbing. Taking a shower, running the dishwasher or flushing the toilet also will flush your lines.
For more information on lead, visit EPA's website at epa.gov/lead.

WHAT'S YOUR PIPE TYPE?

To self verify your water service line pipe material, we developed a user-friendly online inventory map and survey. Please visit wsscwater.com/pipetype to access the instructions and map link. Simply type your address into the map to see your pipe material. The pop-up box has a survey link and step-by-step instructions to help identify the pipe type. If you have difficulty filling out this survey, please contact us at PipeType@wsscwater.com or 301-206-7200 for assistance.

You may also call us if you do not have internet access. After you complete the survey, we will carefully analyze your information and inform you of the result.

REPLACEMENT & FINANCING

If lead is found on the WSSC Water-owned portion of the water service line, then we will replace that portion free of charge.
If lead is found on the customer-owned portion of the water service line, then we recommend you replace the pipe. WSSC Water is developing a financial assistance program to cover the cost of pipe replacement and minimal restoration for those participating in our program. Lead Free Group, our contractor, will reach out to you and share more details once the assistance program is finalized. You can also look for updates at wsscwater.com/pipetype.
If you replace your water service line before our financial assistance program is finalized, then you need to notify WSSC Water as EPA requires that we replace the utility-owned water service line if necessary.
Once replacement of a water service line is complete, you will need to follow guidance on flushing, sampling and filtering to ensure small lead particles are not present in your drinking water.

HEALTH EFFECTS OF LEAD

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.

If you have children, get your child tested to determine lead levels in their blood. Contact your local health department or healthcare providers to find out how you can get your child tested for lead if you are concerned about exposure.

FREE WATER TESTING

If you'd like to test your water for lead, we can send a kit for you to collect water samples that you'll return to us for free analysis. Please complete this form to request your kit. The analysis can take up to eight weeks from the date we receive your samples. We will contact you with the results.

We understand that learning your water service line may contain lead can be concerning. Please email PipeType@wsscwater.com, call 301-206-7200 or visit wsscwater.com/pipetype if you have questions or need more information. We are here to help

Sincerely, 
Bilal Sarayra, P.E.
Lead Service Line Replacement Program Manager
PipeType@wsscwater.com

WSSC WATER ACTIONS TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH

Even if your water service line contains lead, that does not necessarily mean lead is present in your drinking water. WSSC Water carefully filters and expertly treats all drinking water to ensure safety and quality. Water leaving our filtration plants is lead-free.

To minimize the risk of lead dissolving into the water from plumbing materials, we add a corrosion inhibitor, orthophosphate, to the water supply to create a protective coating on the inside of pipes (including those on the customer's property). This coating helps prevent lead from leaching into the water running through the pipe.

Last Modified: December 1, 2025, 1:23 pm EST