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Capital Improvement Program - Stormwater

WASA is responsible for the design, construction and maintenance of public facilities that convey stormwater runoff to the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers, Rock Creek, and other receiving streams. The stormwater system includes approximately 600 miles of storm sewer pipes, catch basins, inlets, special structures, pumping stations, and related facilities. Some components of the existing storm sewer system are well 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. Projects include extensions to the system, relief of certain storm sewers, as well as projects to rehabilitate or replace storm sewer systems that have experienced structural deterioration.

District of Columbia Stormwater Permit and Enterprise Fund

In April 2000, the District received its stormwater management and discharge permit from the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. In June 2001, D. C. City Council promulgated the Stormwater Compliance Act of 2000. The Act designated WASA as the stormwater administrator, and identified the D. C. Department of Public Health, and the D. C. Department of Public Works, along with WASA, as responsible for complying with the provisions of the D. C. Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) National Pollution Discharge Elimination (NPDES) permit issued by EPA, Region III. A task force was created with the participating agencies to coordinate required activities. In addition the Act created a Stormwater Advisory Panel consisting of the Mayor, Chairman of the City Council, WASA's General Manager, and heads of the participating agencies. In 2002, District Department of Transportation (DDOT), and the D. C. Chief Financial Officer were added to the task force and the advisory panel. The Stormwater Compliance Act also established a stormwater fee and a separate stormwater fund to finance the activities required to comply with the MS4 NPDES permit. This fee is collected by WASA as part of its water and sewer billing process. Since 2001, the District, due to the efforts of all participating agencies, has complied with all permit requirements.

Control of oil and grease discharges from six stormwater outfalls into Hickey Run, which flows through the National Arboretum, remains an issue. The MS4 permit limits oil and grease discharge to 11.9 pounds per day, and this limit was to be met in April 2003. An end- of- pipe treatment device has been proposed, to be funded by the District's Department of Health and the U. S. Department of Agriculture, and maintained by WASA using MS4 funds. A memorandum of understanding between the National Arboretum and the MS4 task force has not been finalized. However, the discharge of oil and grease into Hickey Run has not exceeded the stipulated limit.

In FY2004, a new draft permit will be reviewed and open for public comments. WASA will continue to comply with the existing permit until the new draft permit is final. During FY 2003, alternatives were developed for stormwater cost recovery, including charges based on impervious area, and WASA is planning to submit recommendations to the City Council in FY 2004 for a new stormwater rate structure.

Stormwater Program Management — $7.3 million

This area provides for design management and construction management of all storm sewage pumping stations requiring major rehabilitation or replacement, as well as long term planning. It also provides for funding for the sewer system program management consultant for work associated with the storm sewer system.

Trunk/Force Sewers — $21.1 million

This program includes large diameter storm sewers and pumping station force sewers that serve new development, replace undersized sewers, or replace or rehabilitate storm sewers that have reached their useful life or have experienced structural deterioration. Currently the capital improvement program contains two significant active projects in this area

  • Northeast Boundary Local Area Flooding - This project will mitigate long standing local flooding problems in six areas in the northeast quadrant of the city. The project design is complete, and construction will take place from winter 2003 through summer 2004.
  • Future Stormwater Projects — Under the new sewer assessment program, it is anticipated that several new jobs will be added under this project in FY2004. Additional projects will be developed based on the results of ongoing system evaluation, being performed by the engineering project management consultant over the next five years.

Pumping Facilities — $24.6 million

This program includes projects for the rehabilitation or replacement of 15 existing stormwater pumping stations. Detailed design of these improvements is dependent on the outcome of negotiations with DDOT regarding ownership of the stations.

Extension/Local Drainage Projects — $6.6 million

This category includes a number of projects to relieve local flooding and to address short term needs for improvements to storm sewers located in the separate and combined sewer areas. Two projects to highlight in this year's CIP include:

  • Sewer lining at 22nd & P Streets, NW - This project will correct a drainage and flooding problem. The engineering study to define the design parameters was completed in FY2003 after receipt of a National Park Service (NPS) permit. Design will be competed during FY2004, and is scheduled to begin in FY2005.
  • Dumbarton Oaks — This project will separate a storm sewer currently discharging into a combined sewer, thereby reducing localized flooding and extraneous flow to Blue Plains. Additionally, this project will alleviate maintenance issues for WASA and the NPS. Approximately $1.1 million is currently budgeted from FY 2002 to FY 2005 for design and construction of this project. Design has been delayed pending an environmental assessment required by the NPS, and is currently scheduled for winter 2003 through spring 2004. Construction is planned for summer 2004 through spring 2005.

Capital Improvement Program

On-Going Stormwater Projects — $6.7 million

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

DDOT Storm Projects — $28.5 million

This program funds projects associated with DDOT road projects, which often require relocation of storm sewers, inlets or other structures. Budget requirements are projected based on the best available information from DDOT. Recent negotiations may lead to DDOT assuming full responsibility for such relocation costs.

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