Drinking Water (draft)

Georgetown purchases drinking water from DC Water. This water comes from the Potomac River and is treated at the Washington Aqueduct, a federally owned drinking water treatment plant. DC Water conducts thousands of water quality tests each year to ensure that water quality meets or exceeds the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Georgetown collects water quality samples from various locations within the campus distribution system in response to water quality concerns.

Sampling for Lead in Drinking Water at Georgetown University

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set an Action Level for lead in public drinking water at 15 μg/L (micrograms per liter). The University tests for lead content in water for residents with children less than 6 years of age or when there is a concern from GU community.

During 2018 and 2019, drinking water samples were collected by EH&S staff from these GU residential units. Lead content in the samples were below the laboratory’s limit of detection (3.0 μg/L) and significantly below the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Action Level (15 μg/L).

On January 2019, twenty six (26) drinking water samples were collected by DC Water from kitchen/classroom faucets and water fountain at the Hoya Kids Learning Center. Lead content in the samples were also below the limit of detection and below the environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Action Level.

Drinking water sampling continues throughout Georgetown University to ensure that drinking water is maintained safe for consumption.

Please contact Environmental Health and Safety office at
7-7172 or safetyfirst@georgetown.edu, if you have questions regarding the drinking water program.