As part of DC Water’s Lead-Free DC (LFDC) initiative, BVF Engineering is providing design and permitting services to support the replacement of lead, galvanized, and brass water service lines across the District of Columbia. The initiative spans multiple programs—including the Small Diameter Water Main Replacement (SDWMR), the Voluntary Replacement Program, and the Lead Pipe Replacement Assistance Program—and aims to complete all replacements by 2030. BVF is involved in engineering design, permitting coordination, and utility investigation tasks across more than 1,500 blocks throughout the city.

For the SDWMR program, BVF Engineering is responsible for Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) across more than 10 miles of water main replacement alignments. Tasks include the development of utility base plans using GIS data and record drawings from utility owners, as well as field investigations using electromagnetic locating equipment to verify underground utilities (Quality Level B). SUE services were performed on active construction packages such as CP 8, CP 15, CP 16, CP 18, and CP 19, as well as completed packages including SDWMR 22C and 22A.

To support these efforts, BVF Engineering utilizes a dedicated suite of utility locating equipment, including the Vivax RTK Pro for high-precision GNSS positioning, the Emlid RS3 as a base station for RTK corrections, and the Opera Duo Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) for advanced subsurface investigations.