This directed case study uses a fictionalized story about a family that has recently moved to the Washington DC area and is confronted with a situation involving lead contamination of the municipal water supply. Students learn how basic chemical principles apply to human health and safety and, through selected readings, are introduced to sources of lead in drinking water as well as background information on municipal water supply treatment. Students use government sites to find the rules and regulations regarding drinking water and permissible levels of lead. They then research the health effects of lead and other sources of lead exposure in addition to drinking water.  The case includes opportunities for exploring the ethical issues involved in the DC lead contamination incident as well as for getting some practice in applying general chemical principles such as solubility and concentration units. This case would be appropriate for use early on in a fundamental chemistry course after students have been introduced to ionic compounds, atomic structure, ions, and unit conversions.