Stormwater

Over 34 miles of rivers and streams in and around the District of Columbia do not support swimming and aquatic life. Stormwater runoff from separated and combined sewers is the primary source of pathogens that cause impairments to the District's local waterways. The District's stormwater system includes both separate and combined sewers, has approximately 600 miles of storm sewer pipes, catch basins, inlets, special structures and related facilities. Some components of the existing storm sewer system are over 100 years old. The system is constructed of a variety of materials such as ductile iron, plastic, steel, brick, cast iron, cast-in place concrete, brick and concrete, vitrified clay, and concrete. DC Water is responsible for the maintenance and replacement of certain public facilities that convey stormwater runoff to the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers, Rock Creek, and other receiving streams within certain areas of the District of Columbia, specifically the areas of the District served by combined sewers.

In other locations, those served by separate storm sewers, the tasks are shared by several agencies, with the District of Columbia's Department of the Environment (DDOE) having central responsibility for managing the work. The District is required to meet certain regulatory requirements in managing its separate stormwater system under the District's MS4 permit issued by he federal government. Since 2007, DDOE has been responsible for the separate storm water system and compliance with the Clean Water Act as the stormwater administrator. Among other things, DDOE coordinates the stormwater management (MS4) task force, making recommendations regarding stormwater priorities, goals and recommendations on the adequacy of funding mechanisms for stormwater management activities. In November 2007, DDOE negotiated a revised permit several best practice enhancements, several with measurable and quantifiable milestones.

While DC Water has a long-term control plan (the Clean Rivers Project) to address these issues within the combined sewer areas, DC Water's staff continues to participate in the MS4 task force, and to monitor the impact of other MS4 NPDES requirements on DC Water and its ratepayers. Significant progress has been made throughout the District. Since 2001, DC Water collected the MS4 stormwater fees on behalf of the District and acted as stormwater administrator until the creation of DDOE and the transfer of duties in early 2007. DC Water continues to collect those fees on behalf of the District and transfers them to DDOE quarterly. Over the past year, a Memorandum of Understanding and continued dialogue among task force members resulted in a better definition of roles, responsibilities and funding sources for the activities required to enhance stormwater management. Discussion of other matters, such as the turnover of stormwater pumping facility maintenance continues.

DC Water Projects include rehabilitation or replacement of certain storm sewer systems that have experienced structural deterioration and studies and analysis. DC Water has continued to support stormwater management in the District of Columbia through catch basin cleaning in the combined sewer area (per our Blue Plains NPDES permit and an important component of storm water pollution control efforts) and through coordination of cleaning activities throughout the District (along with DC Public Works) as a member of the taskforce and an agency that values the design and implementation of environmentally responsible policies and programs. As new technologies for water quality catch basin and best management practices become available and are installed by DC Department of Transportation, DC Water has pledged to support stormwater efforts through expeditious review and approval, as appropriate, of proposals and providing catch basin cleaning and maintenance of new technologies utilizing available funding under the MS4 program. In addition, DDOE has, from time to time, identified areas within the District that may require additional study of stormwater impact. DC Water has the expertise available to support this research as required to enable evaluation of alternatives and best practices for future decision making.

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Local Drainage Projects

This category includes several projects to relieve local flooding and to address short term needs for improvements to storm sewers located in the separate and combined sewer areas. A significant project to highlight is the sewer lining for the Northwest Boundary Sewer Overflow (NWBSO) at 22nd & P Streets, NW, which will correct a drainage and flooding problem. Complication with access permits resulted in a delay of construction advertisement. The design was completed in 2008 and construction is scheduled to begin in 2009.

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On-Going Stormwater Projects

These include projects carried out by DC Water's Department of Sewer Services, including storm sewer rehabilitation and extensions to serve new development.

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Stormwater Research and Program Management

This area provides for required technical assessments and hydraulic studies required to assess problems in the storm water system. For example, a comprehensive study of the Palisades Stormwater neighborhood flooding problems was completed in 2008 and a study of the federal triangle area has been requested by various federal agencies.

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Trunk/Force Sewers

This program includes major maintenance of the storm water piping system as well as for two capital projects that were previously undertaken.

Pennsylvania Avenue Storm Sewer Rehabilitation
The project involves the replacement of a storm sewer under Pennsylvania Avenue between 38th and Texas Avenue SE and other improvements at the discharge headwall. The final design was provided in 2008 and construction is scheduled for early 2009.
Bangor Street & Park Drive Storm Sewer Rehabilitation
The project involves the installation of an inlet and associated storm sewer along an undeveloped alley easement to an existing storm sewer near Bangor Street. Additional alley improvements (curbing, regrading) will be necessary to prevent overland flow from adjacent properties. In addition, the project includes reconstruction of a stormwater outfall to a stream on National Park Service property at the end of 32nd Street, SE, near Park Drive. The outfall will include an energy dissipater and stabilization of the stream bank in the immediate vicinity of the outfall to prevent erosion of the outfall. Design for the projects is scheduled for 2009 with construction in 2010.
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