CITY REPORT DC 3 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

Washington, DC: 3 Health Violations - null

274 ZIP codes · 2 water systems · Updated

Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS

274
ZIP Codes
2
Water Systems
34
ZIPs with Violations

Key Facts for Washington Residents

  • Your city's water systems recorded 165 violations in the past 5 years.
  • Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.

Water Quality in Washington

We track home safety signals for 274 ZIP codes in Washington, District of Columbia. EPA community-water data is directly mapped for 34 ZIP codes and 2 water systems.

34 of 34 directly mapped ZIP records with reported violation counts (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 165 total, including 3 health-based violations.

Water sources: Surface water.

Top Contaminants

Contaminant Category Violations ZIPs Affected
E. coli Microbiological 76 34
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting 74 34
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Technique 4 1
Lead Inorganic 3 1
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 2 1

Lead Risk

  • Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0020 mg/L
  • 0 of 34 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
  • 73% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
  • 39% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
  • Median year built: 1956
  • Most common estimated pipe material: Galvanized Steel or Copper
  • Lead exposure risk score: 50/100
  • Estimated lead service line probability: 21%
  • 17 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk

With 73% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Washington residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.

Housing Age Distribution

350,327 total housing units across 274 ZIP codes:

Era Units Share
Pre-1940 112,999 32%
1940–1949 38,618 11%
1950–1959 42,168 12%
1960–1969 36,217 10%
1970–1979 23,044 7%
1980–1989 15,937 5%
1990–1999 11,311 3%
2000–2009 27,174 8%
2010–2019 40,360 12%
2020+ 2,499 1%

Flood Risk

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Washington:

  • 506 flood insurance claims on record
  • $5,657,698 sum of reported building, contents, and ICC payment components
  • 285 claims with payment data
  • 221 claims without reported payment fields
  • $19,852 average reported component sum among claims with payment data
  • Dominant rated-zone value in historical claims: X (other)
  • 6 of 26 ZIP codes with claim-zone records have an A/V-family dominant rated zone in those claims
  • Claim-zone values are historical insurance records, not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory

Radon Risk

EPA radon zone data is unavailable for the ZIP records in this city.

What Washington Residents Can Do

Test Your Water

  • Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
  • Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
  • Check your ZIP code - each area in Washington has different water systems and risk levels

Filter Your Water

  • NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
  • NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
  • Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)

Stay Informed

All ZIP Codes in Washington

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Washington have lead in the water?

The average 90th-percentile lead level across Washington is 0.0020 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. 0 of 34 ZIP codes with known action-level status exceed the EPA limit. About 73% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.

Is Washington at risk for flooding?

FEMA data shows 506 flood insurance claim records in Washington ZIP codes, with an average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum of $19,852 among 285 claims with payment data. 221 claims lack reported payment fields and are not counted as zero. Among 26 ZIP codes with historical claim-zone values, 6 have an A/V-family dominant rated zone in those claims. Claim records do not establish current property-level flood risk; check the FEMA map for a specific address.

Are there lead pipes in Washington homes?

73% of Washington housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 39% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Galvanized Steel or Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 21%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.

What contaminants have been found in Washington water?

The most common contaminants by violation count are E. coli, Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Lead and Copper Rule. Across 34 ZIP codes with directly mapped EPA water data, 34 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.

Data Sources

Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.

Washington Infrastructure Age

1956
Median Build Year
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Likely Pipe Material

Median build year of 1956 means many homes predate lead paint and lead solder regulations. Consider testing if your home has original plumbing.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).

Housing Age Profile

Compared to many older metro areas, Washington carries a relatively newer housing profile - the median build year of 1956 places most of the stock in the post-1986 era when lead solder was federally banned from new plumbing. That shift meaningfully reduces the baseline likelihood of lead leaching from copper joint solder. Homes from before 1986 do still exist in the mix, however, and individual testing remains the only way to confirm what a specific tap actually delivers.

1956
Median Year Built
0%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
0%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)

Most homes in Washington were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.

Washington: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations

0.002
mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.

Lead risk in Washington appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

Washington: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context

506
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$19,852
Avg Reported Sum With Payment Data
23%
A/V Share of Claim-Record ZIPs

Historical NFIP data for Washington contains 506 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $19,852. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 23% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.

How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure.

Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.

Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.

Deep Dive Reports

Detailed analysis for Washington, DC

Frequently Asked Questions

How many water violations does Washington have?
Washington water systems have a total of 165 EPA violations, including 3 health-based violations. Violations are tracked across 274 ZIP codes.
Does Washington water have lead?
The average 90th-percentile lead level in Washington is 0.002 mg/L. This is below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. Lead levels can vary by home - testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How many water systems serve Washington?
Washington is served by 2 public water systems across 274 ZIP codes, serving approximately 671,768 people.
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How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Washington, DC: 3 Health Violations - null. https://zipcheckup.com/cities/dc/washington/
BibTeX 
@misc{zipcheckup-cities-dc-washington,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Washington, DC: 3 Health Violations - null}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/cities/dc/washington/}
}

Page version: August 2026.

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