D.C. Issues Water Warning

Health questions can be directed to the D.C. Department of Health at 202-535-2626.

By DERRILL HOLLY
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - City health officials advised pregnant women and children under six to avoid drinking tap water if their homes are served by lead service lines.

"It is not a citywide advisory or a systemwide caution," District of Columbia Mayor Anthony A. Williams said Wednesday.

The independently operated D.C. Water and Sewer Authority serves 572,000 residents. WASA estimates roughly 20 percent of its 110,000 water lines contain lead.

"What we'd like to do is see if there are increased levels of lead in the blood of young children and women who are pregnant," said Dr. Daniel Lucey, the interim chief medical officer of the D.C. Department of Health. Officials contend that those populations are most vulnerable to the effects of lead poisoning, which can include nerve damage.

The health department is stepping up its blood testing program, and is calling on area physicians to submit test results indicating elevated lead levels for their review.

WASA has faced criticism for not making tests available to apartment buildings and other businesses, and for using different testing methods for schools and private homes.

WASA has been recommending that homeowners take a sample of water immediately after opening the tap, and again after allowing the water to run two minutes. But in testing conducted last week in city schools, samples were drawn after allowing water to run from drinking fountains and sink faucets for 10 minutes.

"There should not be two sets of standards for testing lead in the public water supply," said Williams. The mayor has called for the federal Environmental Protection Agency or another independent entity to review WASA's testing protocols to determine whether the procedures were scientifically viable.

"The alarm over the health consequences of not having safe drinking water is compounded by the lack of knowledge," said Councilman Jim Graham, D-Ward 1. Graham called for immediate water testing for anyone requesting it.

"The residents still don't know how much lead is in the water," said Councilman Adrian Fenty, D-Ward 4.

WASA determined in November 2002 that thousands of homes potentially were getting water with lead levels exceeding 15 parts per billion, the limit considered safe under EPA standards. WASA urged some customers to participate in a voluntary testing program promoted in bill inserts and newsletters.

"It's obvious that many who need to know about the lead threat did not know," said Don Welch, the regional administrator of the EPA, calling the current situation "clearly unacceptable."

Welch said a preliminary report on the cause of elevated lead levels could be ready by March 10. The agency is providing $8 million in grants to help replace the pipes this year. WASA initially committed to replacing about seven percent of the lines annually but is considering an accelerated program.

"We can't have a 15-year plan on this," said Councilwoman Sharon Ambrose, D-Ward 6, whose district includes portions of Capitol Hill. She said one public meeting in her ward was attended by more than 200 young parents "just crazy over this issue."

WASA also announced Tuesday it completed testing at all buildings operated by D.C. Public Schools. Of 700 samples taken, eight exceeded the 15 parts per billion level considered safe under federal Environmental Protection Agency standards.

The elevated levels were found in water fountains and sinks, prompting officials to recommend replacement of the equipment.

Here is the list of schools where sink and fountain use is suspended.

• Ballou Senior High School, 3401 4th St., SE. Sample from cafeteria sink analyzed at 16 ppb lead. School system to review condition of sink.

• Bell Multicultural Senior High School, 3145 Hiatt Place, NW. Sample from cafeteria sink analyzed at 160 ppb lead. School system to review condition of sink.

• Choice Academy at Douglass, 2600 Douglass Place, SE. Sample from drinking fountain analyzed at 43 ppb lead. Fountain to be replaced.

• Dunbar Senior High School, 1301 New Jersey Ave., NW. Sample from drinking fountain analyzed at 22 ppb lead. Fountain to be replaced.

• Eliot Junior High School, 1830 Constitution Ave., NE. Sample from sink in a room analyzed at 50 ppb lead. School system to review condition of sink.

• H.D. Woodson Senior High School, 5500 Eads St., NE. Sample from kitchen sink analyzed at 110 ppb lead. School system to review condition of sink.

• Kenilworth Elementary School, 1300 44th St., NE. Sample from sink in teacher's lounge analyzed at 109 ppb lead. School system to review condition of sink.

• Penn Center, 1709 3rd St., NE. Sample from drinking fountain analyzed at 18 ppb lead. Fountain to be replaced.

Two hotlines have been established for residents with water concerns. Water questions can be directed to WASA's hotline at 202-787-2732. Health questions can be directed to the D.C. Department of Health at 202-535-2626.

(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)