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WaterSafeCheck
Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideStatus: Normal Operations

ZIP Code 20581 Water Quality & Testing Report

Washington, DC · District of Columbia County · Updated for 2026

Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 20581 (Washington, DC)?

Caution / Filtration Recommended: Tap water in ZIP code 20581 (Washington, DC) has compliance concerns, earning an EPA Safety Grade of C (69/100) due to 6 health violation(s) and 1.0 ppb lead. While treated by D.c. Water and Sewer Authority, residents are advised to use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified water filter for drinking and cooking.

Safety Score
C

Water Safety Grade

Fair — Some compliance concerns

Health Violations

6

Total Violations

33

Lead Risk

N/A

Contaminants

3

⚠

Active Water Quality Issues Detected

EPA records show 6 unresolved violations. Contact D.c. Water and Sewer Authority for current status.

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 20581

Tap water in ZIP code 20581 (Washington, DC) is distributed by D.c. Water and Sewer Authority (EPA ID: DC0000002), serving approximately 632,323 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of C with a composite quality score of 69/100.

Water System

D.c. Water and Sewer Authority

EPA ID: DC0000002

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

632,323 residents

County

District of Columbia County, District of Columbia

🧪

Lead Levels in ZIP 20581

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Level: 1.0 ppb — Very Low

The 90th percentile lead level in 20581 is 1.0 ppb. This meets the EPA action level of 15 ppb. Health experts recommend a target of 0 ppb for optimal safety.
Lead Level (90th percentile)
1.00 ppb (0.001 mg/L)
Lead (Consumer Confidence Report)

From annual CCR filing

2 ppb
Copper (Consumer Confidence Report)

From annual CCR filing

0.1 ppb
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
Unknown
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring — meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
🪨

Water Hardness & Mineral Content

Grains per gallon (GPG) & Parts per million (PPM / mg/L)

Classification: Moderately Hard6.1 GPG · 104 mg/L

Water in ZIP 20581 is Moderately Hard (104 mg/L / 6.1 GPG). It contains beneficial natural minerals like calcium and magnesium without causing heavy scale accumulation.

Recommendation: A water softener is optional. Regular maintenance of hot water appliances is recommended.
Hardness (GPG)

Grains per gallon

6.1 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

104 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
Low / Moderate

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: D.c. Water and Sewer Authority · PWSID: DC0000002

Verify on EPA.gov
📋

Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

D.c. Water and Sewer Authority has recorded 6 health-based violations out of 33 total violations over the past 5 years. 6 violations remain unresolved in EPA tracking records.

Total Violations (5 yr)
33
Health-Based Violations
6
Unresolved Violations
6
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
Critical

Regulatory compliance risk for this utility is rated Critical based on past reporting and enforcement records.

⚗️

Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

EPA records identify 3 contaminants with health-based violations in the past 5 years: Consumer Confidence Report Rule, E. coli, Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).

Consumer Confidence Report RuleE. coliHaloacetic Acids (HAA5)

From Consumer Confidence Report:

Chlorine (3 ppm); Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) (58 ppb); Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (37 ppb); Total Organic Carbon (TOC) removal ratio (1.37 ratio); Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) (3.8 ppt)

⚖ Enforcement Actions

EPA or state regulators have issued 10 enforcement actions to address compliance lapses.
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Water Source & Environmental Factors

Surface Water

This system draws water from lakes, rivers, or reservoirs. Surface water is treated to remove sediment, microorganisms, and chemical contaminants before reaching taps.

Water Source Type
Surface Water
CCR Source Classification
Surface Water (Potomac River)

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 20581

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 20581 served by D.c. Water and Sewer Authority can test tap water or private well systems to verify water purity. Testing detects hidden contaminants before they impact family health.

Tap Water Testing Steps

  • 1.Conduct a certified lead check if your home was constructed before 1986.
  • 2.Use certified lab testing kits rather than uncalibrated test strips for regulated compliance.
  • 3.Sample water from both your kitchen faucet and water heater to compare line purity.

Private Well Testing Steps

  • •Test for Coliform bacteria and Nitrates annually.
  • •Test for heavy metals, radon, and PFAS every 3 years.
  • •Send samples to a state-certified drinking water laboratory recognized by District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority.
Certified Lab Testing: Always use an EPA-certified drinking water laboratory in DC for formal legal or real estate compliance testing.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 20581 Recommendations

  • ⚠ Use a certified NSF/ANSI 53 filter for drinking and cooking water if you have young children
  • ⚠ Never give unfiltered tap water to infants in formula — use certified bottled or filtered water
  • ⚠ Request a copy of the Consumer Confidence Report to see what was detected and when
  • ⚠ Call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 1-800-426-4791

Recommended Water Treatment Systems:

🏺

NSF 53 Lead Pitcher Filter

Specifically certified to reduce lead and copper at the tap.

Lead Filter Guide →
⚗️

NSF 58 Under-Sink RO System

Advanced filtration for PFAS, fluoride, nitrates, and organic chemicals.

RO System Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 20581 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 20581?+
Tap water in 20581 (Washington, DC) meets major standards but has a grade of C due to minor past violations. Vulnerable populations may want to use a certified filter as a precaution.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 20581 (Washington, DC)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 20581, you can order a certified drinking water test kit or send water samples to an EPA/NELAP certified laboratory in DC. Certified testing checks for lead, coliform bacteria, nitrates, hardness, and PFAS that standard test strips miss. Contact District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority for a list of certified regional labs.
How hard is the tap water in 20581?+
Tap water in 20581 is classified as Moderately Hard with an estimated mineral hardness of 104 mg/L (6.1 GPG). A water softener is optional. Regular maintenance of hot water appliances is recommended.
Should I test private well water in 20581?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 20581 are not regulated by the EPA or local utilities. Private well owners should test their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and volatile organic compounds.
What is the lead level in 20581 tap water?+
The 90th percentile lead level in 20581 is 1.0 ppb. The EPA action level is 15 ppb. This is below the EPA action level.
Is there an active boil water notice in 20581?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 20581. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 20581?+
Tap water in ZIP code 20581 is provided by D.c. Water and Sewer Authority (EPA ID: DC0000002), serving approximately 632,323 residents.
What water filter should I use in 20581?+
Based on water metrics for 20581, we recommend Reverse Osmosis (PFAS & Lead). Look for certifications such as NSF/ANSI 53 (Chemical Contaminants), NSF/ANSI 42 (Aesthetic Effects).

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 20581 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by D.c. Water and Sewer Authority. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data →