Skip to content
NoVA & DC Plumbing Map

Sheet 4 of 18 · District of Columbia

Petworth and Upper Northwest: lead and permits

Full map

In Petworth and Upper Northwest, start any lead pipe question with DC Water's lead map; test pits and four replacement routes follow from what it shows.

Sheet revised November 3, 2026 · who makes this map

Three-story frame house with a wraparound porch on Missouri Avenue NW
The George M. Lightfoot House on Missouri Avenue NW, in upper Northwest.
Who does what here
WaterDC Water in the street; the private side is yours source
SewerDC Water for the main; you for the lateral source
PermitsDOB, master plumber named on the form source
LicensingDLCP source
Lead pipesLead Free DC, 202-787-4044 source

Reading the lead map

On DC Water's map each address gets one of five colors, running from blue (verified non-lead) through green, yellow (no information) and orange to red (verified lead). The utility says the map rests mostly on historic records, not on confirmed checks, and that its older homes were typically built with lead lines. Where a home falls on the age line is for the utility to say; this sheet dates no house. Only a physical check settles it, and DC Water offers a "dig and determine" test pit. Do not try to test the pipe yourself. Read lead service lines.

Brick house with a two-story porch and flowering shrubs in Northwest DC
The Jost-Kuhn House in Northwest DC.

Four ways to replace

These come from DC Water's replacement page.

  • DC Water-initiated: during a capital or road project, you sign a Right of Entry and the private side costs you nothing.
  • Lead Pipe Replacement Assistance Program: for lead, galvanized or brass on the private side where the public side is non-lead; DOEE says it currently covers cost for enrolled homeowners. A new DC Water application form starts in October 2026 and needs photo ID and proof of ownership.
  • House by House Priority: lead or galvanized on both sides plus a qualifying need, such as a pregnant or nursing mother, a child under 6 or elevated blood lead; free.
  • Voluntary: both sides; DC Water pays the public side and you pay the private.

The voluntary route is closed if a project is planned within two years, or you are on the DDOT moratorium list, or a renovation requires an upgrade under DC codes. See DC lead programs.

Rentals and sales

Landlords and sellers in the District must disclose lead pipes they know about. A tenant or buyer can ask in writing.

Away from the old core

Rock Creek is one of the waterways the Clean Rivers work targets. We have no source tying a specific Petworth or Upper Northwest street to a combined or separate sewer, so ask DC Water.

What the map can't tell you

  • Whether your service line is lead; the map is mostly records.
  • Whether a DDOT or DC Water project is planned on your street, which affects eligibility.
  • Whether your sewer is combined, which affects backup rebate eligibility.
  • How much a replacement would cost; no official figure appears on the pages used here.

Check your own address

  1. Look up your address on DC Water's lead map and note the color.
  2. Call Lead Free DC on 202-787-4044 and ask about the application that opened in October 2026.
  3. See whether DC Water has a capital project scheduled near you by calling 202-612-3400.
  4. Check the plumber's license on the DLCP site, as check a license explains.
  5. If you rent, ask the landlord in writing about known lead pipes.

More on checking an address

Survey notes: sources for this page