Sewer

WATER PLAN SYSTEM SEWER

What We Do

PROJECTS & INITIATIVES

• Active Workzones
• Capital Improvement Program
• Stimulus funds Projects
  Funds appropriated through the President's budget along with the Safe Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund are a positive investment providing a healthier environment for those who use and live District of Columbia.
• Long-Term Control Plan
  Check out DC WASA's long-term plans for reducing combined sewer overflows (CSOs) into the local waterways.
• Anacostia CSO 006
  The Anacostia Combined Sewer Separation Project - CSO 006 was initiated in March 2008 as a component of DC WASA's overall Long Term Control Plan for reducing the overflows of the District's combined sewer system which may discharge stormwater and wastewater runoff into area waterways when it rains.
• Anacostia First Main Replacement
  This project will replace the existing 12-inch and smaller diameter water mains at various locations in Ward 8.
• Anacostia Force Main
  The Anacostia Force Main (AFM) consists of 32,700 linear feet of 108" diameter sewer pipe. DC WASA is in the process of surveying and assessing the entire length of the AFM.
• Anacostia Water Main Replacement
  DC WASA has initiated this nearly $20 million project to improve the infrastructure as part of the overall East of the Anacostia Initiative which will allow increased water pressure in the future, provide additional water supply to accommodate high water demands, and better meet public safety needs.
• Bangor Street
  DC WASA will be performing storm sewer improvements within the Anacostia neighborhood to improve drainage from storm events.
• Crosstown Water Tunnel
  DC WASA recently discovered a leak coming from the 2.5 mile-long Crosstown Water Tunnel, which is a portion of the Crosstown Water Main.
• Dupont Circle
  As part of its Capital Improvement Program, DC WASA will replace existing 12-inch and smaller cast iron water mains along Dupont Circle, NW
• Friendship Heights Large Main Replacement
  As part of DC WASA's Capital Improvement Program, existing 20-inch cast iron water mains will be replaced at various locations in northwest.
• Georgetown Sewer Rehabilitation
  Approximately $1 million is being invested in this project which will enhance sewer flows, minimize backups and restore sewer lines to their original structural ability. The project will also minimize surface disturbances by utilizing trenchless technology wherever possible.
• Oxon Run
  The purpose of this project is to construct a new sewer to serve the Valley Terrace housing development. Sanitary waste from the housing development currently flows in a pipe called the Lower Relief Sewer to a larger Upper Relief Sewer. Parts of the Lower Relief Sewer flow through rare and sensitive magnolia bogs. Through this project, DC WASA will design and construct a new sewer to take the wastewater from Valley Terrace to the Upper Relief Sewer.
• Pennsylvania Ave, SE Storm Sewer
  DC WASA will be performing storm sewer improvements within the Penn-Branch neighborhood to repair aged storm sewer infrastructure.
• Pope Branch Rehabilitation
  Over $4 million will be invested in this project which will restore Pope Branch stream to a natural, sustainable waterway, while replacing aged sewage infrastructure that currently runs parallel to the stream.
• Potomac Interceptor
  The Potomac Interceptor is a 50-mile-long gravity sewer system that transports wastewater to the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant.
• Rock Creek Sewer Separation
  DC WASA is required to separate the single combined sewers into separate sanitary and storm sewers for the drainage basins serving four specific overflow locations.
• Small Water Main Replacement
  DC WASA will replace existing 12-inch and smaller cast iron water mains in various locations in the SE areas of the city.
• St. Elizabeths Water Tower
  A two-million-gallon elevated storage tower in the southern portion of Anacostia that will maintain higher and more optimal pressures in the new service area.

DRINKING WATER

Water System Overview
Drinking water in the District of Columbia is drawn from the Potomac River at Great Falls and Little Falls by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Washington Aqueduct and is treated at two water treatment plants, Dalecarlia and McMillan.

The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC WASA) purchases the treated water and distributes it to homes and businesses through a 1,300-mile network of transmission lines, pump stations, water mains, storage tanks and fire hydrants.

• Storm Sewers
  Learn about the issues involving the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) and how DC WASA is addressing them.
• Combined Sewer System
  Review basic information on the Combined Sewer System.
• Biosolids Management Program
  Review information on the Biosolids Management Program and how it helps protect the environment.
• Potomac Interceptor
  The Potomac Interceptor conveys approximately 50 million gallons per day of wastewater near the Washington Dulles International Airport, along the Potomac River through the Potomac Pumping Station, to Blue Plains for treatment.

FIRE HYDRANTS

There are more than 9,000 public hydrants in the District. DC WASA has provided $26.5 million for the replacement/upgrade of up to 3,000 of the critical public fire hydrants on behalf of the District of Columbia government over a five-year period that began in fiscal year 2006. Through fiscal year 2008, DC WASA completed over 2,500 public hydrant replacements and upgrades. An additional $30 million has been earmarked by DC WASA for the replacement/upgrade of 4,000 hydrants. Individual property owners are responsible for private hydrants on their property.