D.C. to Use Pipe-coating Chemical to Reduce Lead Leaching

Beginning next week, federal and local officials say they will adjust plans to try to reduce lead contamination in D.C.'s water supply by changing a type of chemical added to the city's drinking water.

Last month, the EPA signed off on the plan to put a pipe-coating chemical into the drinking water that goes to some Northwest Washington homes.

If all goes well, they plan to expand to program to parts of Northern Virginia.

But Arlington County said it was worried about the impact on its sewage plant. So instead of going with one commonly used chemical (zinc orthophosphate), they will use another (phosphoric acid) to keep more lead from leaching out of the system's delivery pipes.

The officials tell The Washington Post, the change-up is just a minor tweak in the already approved strategy.

Source: The Associated Press