Fall Forward: Progress, Innovations, and Community Impact

We’re excited to bring you the Fall 2024 edition of the Lead Free DC newsletter! This issue highlights our recent progress, innovative outreach efforts, and a dedicated team member making a real impact.

With over 7,000 lead service lines replaced—including more than 2,000 this year—we’re steadily moving towards a Lead Free DC. Learn how we’re engaging the community through various events and using tools like DocuSign to enhance our digital approach.

Explore the stories and see how DC Water is helping to ensure a healthier, lead-free future for everyone. Whether you’re a resident looking to have your lead service line replaced or simply interested in our ongoing efforts, there’s something here for everyone. Join us as we continue to move closer to our goal of a Lead Free DC!

Table of Contents

• Over 7,000 Lead Service Lines Replaced!
• DocuSign Makes Lead Replacement Signup Easier!
• LFDC Team Member Spotlight: Tijuana Haynes
• Making Every Drop Count - Prepare to Be Prepared for Emergencies
• Waterpalooza Event Recap
• Join LFDC at these Upcoming Events!
• Stay Connected
• We Want To Hear From You
• DC Water Lead Website­­­­­

Over 7,000 Lead Service Lines Replaced!

We are three quarters of the way through 2024 and want to provide a progress update on the work we’re doing to replace all lead service lines in the District!

* We have replaced a total of 7,014 lead service lines! 
* 2,195 of those replacements have been in 2024 so far! 
* We have reached approximately 14,838 households with our canvassing efforts in 2024 to date. 
* We have secured 5,032 agreements as of October 2024. 
* We have presented at 26 ANC meetings and 50 community events in 2024 to share information about Lead Free DC

DC Water estimates the District of Columbia has more than 42,000 service lines with lead or galvanized-iron pipe. It is our goal to replace all of them with copper. DC Water has different programs for getting your lead service line replaced. If you’re interested in learning more, please visit dcwater.com/lead.

DC Water launched the Lead Free DC Initiative in 2019 to accelerate lead service line replacement and combine all our lead reduction efforts under one banner.

Help us in our goal of working towards a Lead Free DC and learn more about getting your lead service line replaced today!

To find out if you have lead service lines in your home, please search for your address using our interactive lead map: dcwater.com/leadmap.

Updated October 16, 2024.

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Sign Up for Free Lead Line Replacement with DocuSign!

In our last newsletter, we told you a bit about our outreach canvassers who go door-to-door to share information about the Lead Free DC program with customers. Their primary objective is to collect signed authorization forms from property owners giving permission to DC Water to replace their lead service lines.

Up until recently, our canvassing team has had to do this using paper authorization forms, either working with the homeowner to fill out the paper application while they are there, or leaving behind the forms for homeowners to mail or scan and email in later.

Now, we have streamlined this process using DocuSign! Our outreach canvassers have tablets with them in the field. They can now look up a person’s service line materials using the Lead Inventory Map and have homeowners sign up for a free replacement on the DocuSign authorization form right on their tablets!

This is both easier for homeowners to sign up and easier for our canvassers to reduce the amount of paper they need to carry. It also allows the team to process the data more quickly, allowing Lead Free DC to know which properties on a block have already signed an authorization form in a more efficient manner.

We are excited to continue to implement this new solution for our customers and to continue to find ways to share information about Lead Free DC more effectively and efficiently!

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LFDC Team Member Spotlight: Tijuana Haynes

Tijuana Haynes is the Community Outreach Manager for Lead Free DC (LFDC). In this role, Tijuana oversees our Outreach Canvassing Team’s performance and key metrics, reviews the Outreach Team’s community outreach progress, and implements process improvements to streamline the workflow and boost overall performance. Tijuana is also instrumental in coordinating and leading the LFDC Citywide Tour events.

Tijuana's passion for community outreach began at the Fannie Mae Foundation, where she discovered her love for engaging with people and sharing information that could positively impact their lives. "I firmly believe that if you have the opportunity to help someone, you should always do so. Knowledge is power," Tijuana shared. This belief has driven her work with the LFDC team.

Tijuana has taken LFDC on tour this year to festivals and community events in each ward of the District. This tour culminated on October 5th at Marin Luther King, Jr. Library with a Lead Free Fair event, where residents learned about the impacts of lead, checked if they have a lead service line, learned about free replacement options, and also enjoyed community fun and food with face painting, balloon art, and a 360-degree photo booth!

Reflecting on the LFDC Citywide Tour, Tijuana says that one of the most memorable moments came during the inaugural event when the very first signature was collected. "I was beaming from ear to ear, thinking, ‘It was all worth it,’" she said.

Tijuana has over 20 years of experience serving neighborhood communities with an extensive record supporting the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and DC Water projects. Her proficiency spans a diverse range of skills, including community engagement, strategic stakeholder collaboration, public education initiatives, event orchestration, and graphic design.

A native of Goldsboro, North Carolina, Tijuana came to the Washington, DC Metropolitan area as a small child. In her spare time, she creates portraits, drawings and graphic art for clients all around the DC Metropolitan area. Tijuana also has a passion for creative writing. She leads a Drama Ministry and has written numerous plays which she has produced and directed. Currently, she is co-directing a series of independent movies for Netflix and Amazon.

Despite the challenges that come with her role, Tijuana stays motivated by her team. "I am passionate about anything worth doing," she says. "I believe in the Lead Free message, and I’m thrilled that DC Water is replacing lead pipes for FREE. Setbacks are just temporary; they’re not a ‘no.’ I keep moving forward, knowing my time will come."

When asked about her favorite part of interacting with the community, Tijuana lights up talking about the LFDC Trivia Wheel. "The kids absolutely love it! I enjoy watching them spin and answer questions, all while subconsciously learning about lead and its impact," she says.

Tijuana is married to Kevin Haynes, and they have 2 children and reside in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

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Making Every Drop Count! Save Water Every Day At Home

In late summer, a Drought Watch was declared for the Washington Region. Although conditions have since returned to normal, it's always a good time to think about how we use water. Just as replacing lead service lines is crucial for safe drinking water, conserving water during a drought is essential for ensuring we have enough to go around. Believe it or not, 70% of household water use happens inside the home - think showers, laundry, and dishwashing. The remaining 30% often goes to outdoor activities like watering the lawn, washing the car, or filling the pool. So even small changes can make a big difference in conserving this precious resource.

Here’s how you can get a jump start on good habits for emergencies and water conservation when a Drought Watch is issued.

Run Full Loads Only: Make it a habit to run your dishwasher and washing machine only when they’re full. It’s an easy way to save water and energy.

Shorten Your Showers: Shaving a few minutes off your shower time can save gallons of water. Set a timer to keep track—it’s easier than you think!

Fix Leaky Faucets: Those drips might seem harmless, but they add up fast. Fixing leaks can save thousands of gallons each year.

Upgrade Appliances: If you’re replacing old appliances, go for water-efficient models. They use significantly less water and will help you save in the long run.

These simple steps can make a big impact, especially during a drought or in an emergency when water might be in short supply. Just like our efforts to create a Lead Free DC, conserving water is a shared responsibility that benefits everyone.

Share these tips with your family and keep them in a visible spot as a reminder. By working together, we can all do our part in conserving water and staying prepared for whatever comes our way.

Let’s make sure every drop counts!

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Waterpalooza Event Recap

DC Water hosted Waterpalooza on Tuesday June 11th, 2024 with students from Minor Elementary School! The event was sponsored by The Chesapeake Water Environmental Association and other participating regional utility company partners.

Students in the second and third grades participated in the event. There were multiple tables with games based on the specifics of water and water related issues. The Lead Free DC team hosted a table with games and educational components for students to learn about lead service lines, the hazards of lead and ways to eliminate lead from our water system.

Lead Free DC also gave a presentation on the health hazards of lead and why the lead pipes are being changed to copper. Once the students finished playing the educational games, they were given a chance to win prizes when they answered questions about lead pipes compared to copper pipes.

With several tables providing fun and educational water and lead-free water related games, the event was successful in educating the students on clean lead-free water.

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Join LFDC at these Upcoming Events!

Lead Free DC gives presentations and attends District events to share information about lead service line replacements all over DC! Stop by any of the below events to learn more about our programs, how to get a free lead service line replacement, and to ask questions!

If your organization would like Lead Free DC to join an event or give a presentation, please reach out to Sean Moore at sean.moore@dcwater.com.

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Stay Connected with Lead Free DC

Stay connected with us on social media for instant updates, engaging conversations, exclusive content, and event announcements. Your support and engagement on platforms like Facebook, X and Instagram help us to build community around our efforts and play a crucial role in our mission to create a lead free DC. Let's build a community committed to clean water and a healthier environment!

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We Want to Hear From You

Send us your thoughts and feedback on the program at lead@dcwater.com. We value your input!

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DC Water.com Lead Website

Curious to learn more about our Lead Free DC program? Visit our website at dcwater.com/lead to dive deeper into our initiatives and explore how we're working towards a lead free future.

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