The Week Ahead…& Photo Essay on Lead Pipe Replacement

The Week Ahead…& Photo Essay on Lead Pipe Replacement

By Larry Janezich

Posted April 16, 2023

Photo Essay on Lead Pipe Replacement

DC Water is in the process of replacing the city’s lead pipe infrastructure by 2030.  As work proceeds throughout the city, when DC Water shows up and initiates the replacement the cost on both the public side (to the property line) and the private side (to the point of entry) is paid for by the city.  For most Capitol Hill residences, the front yards are public (though maintained by the residents) and usually extends to the front of the house point of entry.  For some homes, the point of entry is on private property, for example, under the house. 

For those who do not want to wait for DC Water to get to them and want their lead pipes replaced now, the city offers two programs.

Private side only replacement when the public side (to the property line) is already non-lead.  The replacement program uses city funds to provide a free or discounted replacement for lead pipes on the homeowner’s property.  All property owners in this category receive a 50% discount.  Some residents will qualify for 100% coverage depending on household size and income. 

Voluntary full lead pipe replacements.  If both the public and private side are lead, customers can enroll in  the Voluntary Replacement Program.  DC will pay for all work in the public space and the owner pays for work on private property. 

For more on this go here:  https://www.dcwater.com/lead and here:  https://www.dcwater.com/replacelead

Here’s a photo essay on the process when DC Water initiates the process and replaces lead pipes to the property line AND to the point of entry on the private side:

Digging a trench from the street to the house is unnecessary.  Most replacements start with a hole or two in the sidewalk or yard and one at the public side entry point next to the house.  (The contractor restores the surface to the original condition.)

DC Water has a supervisor (at right) on site to oversee the contractor’s work.

This is the “Mole” – the compressed air-powered digging device that is guided by hand along the existing lead pipe between holes.  A rope is attached to the Mole when it is withdrawn, which is then used to pull the copper pipe to the point of entry. 

The replacement copper pipe.

The new copper pipe after installation – the lead pipe it replaces is left in place. 

If the point of entry is on the public side – in this case under the house – the replacement is more complicated.  One of the contractor signals “We got this.” The owner’s dog inspects the work. The contractor restores the work area to it’s original condition. On this block 3 houses out of 20 had lead pipes in the private side.

The Week Ahead…

Monday, April 17

DC Emancipation Day Holiday.  No trash or recycling pickup. 

ANC6D will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm

For info on joining the meeting, go here:  https://www.anc6d.org/virtualmeeting/

Among items on the draft agenda:  (A more complete agenda is usually released on day of)

• MPD Public Safety Report
• Presentation: DPR Programming
• Presentation: May 6 Duck Pond Event
• Race for Hope DC
• Updates on Development, Planning, Transportation

ANC6B Special Committee on Public Safety will hold a virtual meeting at 7:30pm. 

For info on joining the meeting, go here:  https://bit.ly/40g2lZM

CANCELLED

Tuesday, April 18

ANC6A Transportation & Public Space Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm

For info on joining the meeting, go here:  https://anc6a.org/community-calendar/

Among items on the draft agenda:

Update on sidewalk survey

Response to request for speed limit change from 25 MPH to 20 MPH

• Notice of Intent Traffic Enforcement Safety Device: 11th Street between Florida Avenue NE and East Capitol Street
• Notice of Intent Traffic Enforcement Safety Device: 13th Street between Florida Avenue NE and East Capitol Street
• Notice of Intent Traffic Enforcement Safety Device: 14th Street between Florida Avenue NE and East Capitol Street
• Notice of Intent Traffic Enforcement Safety Device: 15th Street between Florida Avenue NE and East Capitol Street
• Notice of Intent for 8th Street Bus Priority Project.  See here:   (https://buspriority.ddot.dc.gov/pages/a9f788c2398f46ba85659809dad85739

• Update: Notice of Intent for Traffic Enforcement Safety Device for 11th Street & Constitution Avenue NE Traffic Signal to Stop with DDOT. 
• Parklet applications on H Street NE:
  • at 1238 H Street NE
  • at 1206 H Street NE

Wednesday, April 19

ANC6A Economic Development & Zoning Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6a.org/community-calendar/

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Racial Equity Tool. Discussion of the revised DC Zoning Commission Racial Equity Tool, and how it will be used on zoning projects within ANC 6A.
• 721 H Street, NE. Zoning Application. Proposed map amendment to rezone the property from NC-16 to NC-17.
• 1371-1375 H Street, NE: Informational presentation on a residential development concept for the address range 1371-1375 H Street, NE.
• 424 10th Street, NE: Zoning Adjustment Application. Request for a Special Exception to construct a two-story rear addition, to an existing, attached, two-story with cellar, principal dwelling unit.
• 1112 8th Street, NE: Zoning Adjustment Application. Request for a Special Exception from the building height requirements to construct a third story addition to an existing, attached, two-story with cellar, flat.