District of Columbia Water Quality Report: 41 Violations Across 36 ZIPs
4 water systems · 36 ZIP codes · 41 violations · Updated
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO Last verified:
ZipCheckup tracks EPA drinking-water compliance for 4 public water systems serving 36 ZIP codes in District of Columbia. The state record shows 41 EPA violations, 3 health-based.
City Water Quality Map: District of Columbia
Each circle represents a city. Size indicates population, color indicates water quality grade. Tap a circle for details.
Violation Trend
EPA violations across all water systems in District of Columbia.
Cities with Most Violations in District of Columbia
| # | City | Grade | Violations | Systems | Population | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | 33 | 2 | 671,768 | Details → | |
| 2 | Washington Navy Yard | 4 | 1 | 632,323 | Details → | |
| 3 | Naval Anacost Annex | 4 | 1 | 311 | Details → |
Most Common Contaminants in District of Columbia
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E. coli | Microbiological | 80 | 36 | Yes |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 | No |
| Lead | Inorganic | 3 | 1 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 | No |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 1 | 1 | No |
| Copper | Inorganic | 1 | 1 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | 1 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | 1 | No |
Water Quality Overview
District of Columbia has 4 community water systems represented across 36 directly mapped ZIP records. The associated city records cover approximately 1,304,402 people. The available records contain 41 EPA violations, including 3 health-based violations.
Health-based violations account for 7% of all violations in District of Columbia. These violations indicate contaminant levels that may pose direct risks to human health, as opposed to monitoring or reporting failures.
Violation Breakdown
| Violation Type | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Health-based | 3 | 7.3% |
| Monitoring/Reporting | 38 | 92.7% |
| Total | 41 | 100% |
Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeding EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). Monitoring violations indicate failures to test or report - these do not necessarily mean unsafe water, but they mean the water was not properly verified.
Cities with Most Violations
The following cities in District of Columbia have the highest number of EPA violations:
| Rank | City | Violations | Water Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | 33 | 2 | 671,768 |
| 2 | Washington Navy Yard | 4 | 1 | 632,323 |
| 3 | Naval Anacost Annex | 4 | 1 | 311 |
Violation counts are cumulative across all water systems serving each city. Higher counts may reflect larger systems with more monitoring requirements, not necessarily worse water quality.
Violation Trend Over Time
Year-by-year EPA violations recorded across all water systems in District of Columbia:
| Year | Total Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 34 | 34 |
| 2023 | 34 | 34 |
| 2025 | 102 | 102 |
Violations have increased from 34 in 2022 to 102 in 2025. This trend warrants monitoring and may reflect expanded testing requirements rather than worsening quality.
Most Common Contaminants
The following contaminants have caused the most violations across District of Columbia water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E. coli | Microbiological | 80 | 36 | Yes |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 | No |
| Lead | Inorganic | 3 | 1 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 | No |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 1 | 1 | No |
| Copper | Inorganic | 1 | 1 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | 1 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | 1 | No |
How to Check Your Water in District of Columbia
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup for detailed water-system data including contaminant levels and violation history; the separate Home Safety Score is a multi-source index
Request your CCR - every water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report
Get a home test - certified kits ($20-$50) or professional lab tests ($150-$400)
Consider filtration - NSF-certified filters can address specific contaminants found in your area
EPA Enforcement
The EPA and state regulators have taken 346 enforcement actions against water systems in District of Columbia. Enforcement actions range from compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO
Updated daily.
Understanding water quality grades
ZipCheckup grades water systems from A to F based on EPA violation history, contaminant levels, and system compliance. Grade A means few or no violations; Grade F indicates persistent or serious issues. Grades are calculated per ZIP code and aggregated at the city, county, and state level.
Wondering about your tap water?
Water quality varies by ZIP code. Enter yours to see contaminant data, violations, and filtration recommendations specific to your area.
Check Your ZIP Code Water Quality →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe to drink in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia has 4 community water systems with 41 recorded EPA violations, including 3 health-based. Water quality varies by city and ZIP code - check your specific location for detailed results.
How many water violations does District of Columbia have?
District of Columbia has 41 total EPA violations across 36 ZIP codes. 3 are health-based violations that indicate contaminant levels potentially harmful to human health. The remainder are monitoring or reporting violations.
Which city in District of Columbia has the worst water quality?
Washington, DC has the most EPA violations among major cities in District of Columbia with 33 recorded violations. Check individual ZIP codes for the most accurate picture of your local water quality.
Which city in District of Columbia has the best water quality?
Several cities in District of Columbia maintain excellent EPA compliance. Check individual city reports for details.
What contaminants are found in District of Columbia drinking water?
District of Columbia water systems are monitored for over 90 EPA-regulated contaminants including lead, copper, nitrates, disinfection byproducts, and bacteria. The most common violations vary by region - check your ZIP code for contaminant-specific data.