Water Distribution

Pumping room showing active pumps
Bryant Street Pumping Station
pumping room

Projects in the Water Service Area are designed to maintain safe, adequate and reliable potable water supply to customers and for fire protection. Categories of projects include the rehabilitation and replacement of water mains, storage facilities, and pumping stations. This area also includes water service line and meter replacements.

The water distribution system includes appurtenances necessary for proper system operation, inspection, and repair. DC WASA's system includes approximately 1,300 miles of pipe and over 36,000 valves of various sizes. A variety of valve types allow flow control, prevent air entrapment, allow watermain draining, permit flow in only one direction, and allow water transfer between service areas. The system also includes approximately 9,000 hydrants in public space to support DC Fire and Emergency Services.

Major water projects include construction of a new pumping station to serve areas east of the Anacostia River; water main replacements, rehabilitations and extensions; lead service replacements; fire hydrant replacements; and valve replacements.

Water System Facilities Planning

DC WASA began work on its first Water System Facilities Plan in 1998 and completed it in September 2000. A facilities plan evaluates the existing system and provides an assessment of improvements needed. The 2000 Facilities Plan identified fourteen projects and a small diameter water main rehabilitation program to be included in the CIP. At this time 9 of 14 projects included in the Facilities Plan have been completed or are under construction. Also, in 2004, the lead service replacement program was included in the capital improvement program. A recent draft update of the facilities plan identified current system needs and related potential CIP projects. Specifically, the report indicated a need for a more aggressive small diameter water main rehabilitation program, given that approximately half of the small diameter water mains in service are more than 75 years old and over 15% are more than 100 years old. DC WASA management and staff are reviewing the findings of this draft update, and will work to integrate its recommendations with other findings in the water service area, taking a comprehensive and long-term view of the Water system maintenance and rehabilitation.

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Water Distribution System

Workers inspect a new water main
Workers inspect a new water main

This program provides for rehabilitation, replacement or extension of the water distribution system through several project categories. This year's water distribution system budget includes increases for a variety of water quality-related work, primarily in the small main area. Highlights of the work under this program by project category are:

Lead Service Line Replacements
This program replaces approximately 35,000 lead water service lines with copper tubing throughout the water distribution system. The Lead Service Replacement Program began in FY 2004 in response to the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirement to meet federal EPA Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) limits for lead in drinking water. Drinking water provided by DC WASA has met all Federal drinking water standards since January 2006 — view our test results here. In September 2008, the program was revised to lower the lifetime budget and focus on full replacements.
Valve Replacements
This involves replacing defective valves throughout the water distribution system. Operable valves are necessary to complete the annual flushing program, for routine and emergency system repairs, and for support of capital projects that require valve operation to isolate portions of the system. Six contracts replacing 112 large valves (16-inch and larger) are either completed or under construction, and three additional contracts to replace approximately 50 large valves are planned for construction in 2009 through 2012. Additionally, a contract that includes replacing 38 small diameter valves throughout the District is scheduled to commence construction in 2009.
Water Main Dead End Elimination
This project eliminates the potential for stagnant water accumulating at the end of water mains and will assist in maintaining water quality in the distribution system. Eliminating known dead end water mains is accomplished by looping to other water mains or by providing a fire hydrant to flush the line. The three projects in the capital program to perform this work were accelerated to commence construction in 2005 as part of our overall focus on water quality projects. It is scheduled that the last construction contract will be completed in 2009.
Large Diameter Water Main Rehabilitation
This project consists of performing internal joint repairs on large diameter (16-inch diameter and larger) water mains exhibiting a high frequency of joint leaks. It also includes cleaning and lining water mains, if necessary, and replacing or rehabilitating smaller segments of water mains. Work also includes the relocation of water mains from underneath private property when necessary. Several jobs were completed and two contracts for internal joint repairs are scheduled to commence construction in 2011 and 2013 respectively.
Water Distribution/Transmission Mains
These projects include replacing and constructing distribution and transmission mains in the system. In 2007, construction commenced for one construction contract that includes replacing 6,100 linear feet of 20-inch water main in Minnesota Avenue S.E. with a 30-inch water main, and for installing approximately 5,300 linear feet of 24-inch water main to reinforce the supply to the Fort Stanton Reservoirs. Construction of approximately 5,100 linear feet of 16-inch water main in Michigan Avenue, NE to reinforce the supply to the McMillan Water Treatment Plant was completed in 2008.
Fire Hydrant Program
The original program provided funding for the replacement/upgrade of up to 3000 of the critical public fire hydrants on behalf of the District of Columbia government over a five year period that began in 2006.
Through 2008, over 2,500 hydrant replacements/upgrades in public space were completed by DC WASA as shown in the graph below.
DC WASA replaced almost 1,500 public hydrants while repairing almost 6,000 in 2008.
In addition, repairs and maintenance are ongoing. In October 2007, DC WASA and the DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly inspect all public fire hydrants annually within the District and provide an identification and replacement program for a portion of the inventory. As DC WASA is well on its way to completing the original quantity target prior to the end of the five year period, a phase two program has been included within this budget proposal for approximately $30 million over a five year period. As the cost is born by the District of Columbia (DC) and not the rate payers, the proposal will be subject to review and acceptance by DC officials and the appropriate budget process. However, inclusion within the DC WASA budget proposal will provide congressional contracting authority that will be required to move forward. A major highlight in 2008 has been the both the significant replacement of outdated fire hydrants and the use of computer technology to geographically locate all public fire hydrants and provide public access to the current condition of the hydrants through the use of Google Earth. You can see the status of all known public hydrants in DC in the "Fire Hydrants" section of this website.
Small Diameter Water Main Rehabilitation
Work includes rehabilitating small diameter (12-inch diameter and smaller) water mains to improve system reliability as well as improve water pressure, maintain water quality and ensure adequate flows in the system. Construction is underway to replace small diameter mains in the new pressure zone east of the Anacostia River with construction scheduled to be completed 2010. Higher pressures combined with older mains in this area makes replacement necessary. Additionally, a holistic approach combining the lead service replacement program and the water main rehabilitation program was implemented. The planned 2009 replacement of approximately 25,000 LF of small diameter water mains will include LSR work within one construction contract. The concept for this approach is, for a given block where the small diameter water main replacement is required. DC WASA will also assess the presence of lead service. In addition, replacement of all valves and hydrants will be accomplished at the same time as required. Finally, it was coordinated that the District Department of Transportation will complete a majority of the road and sidewalk restoration work after the water mains are installed. The concept is to complete all needed improvements to a block at one time to minimize disruption and costs. Future small diameter water main replacement projects will follow this holistic approach.
Cleaning & Lining Large Diameter Water Mains
DC WASA is re-evaluating the rehabilitation program for large diameter water mains and alternative rehabilitation or replacement methods may be proposed in the future.
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On-Going Water Projects

The ongoing program includes small projects for extension of water mains to service new development in the District of Columbia, repairing water main breaks, replacing valves and fire hydrants, replacing water service connections, and other minor water main rehabilitation work.

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Water Pumping Facilities

This program includes several projects to rehabilitate or replace water-pumping stations in the system.

Workers replacing a large water main
DC WASA crew working on a water main
  • Construction of a new Anacostia Pumping Station at the same site of the existing pumping station commenced in 2007 and is schedule to be completed in early 2009. The new pumping station includes pumps that will serve the new proposed service area in the southern portion of the Anacostia first high service area.
  • A major rehabilitation of the Bryant Street Pumping Station to meet current code requirements and maintain the reliability of the water distribution system was substantially completed in 2007. The final closeout of the construction contract will be completed in 2009. Work included replacing 11 high lift pumps, architectural improvements to the building, replacing heating, cooling and ventilating system, paving and site improvements, replacing water mains, cathodic protection of a 48-inch steel water main, rehabilitating the warehouse and shop buildings, and an electronic security system. Also, upgrading SCADA for the water distribution system is included.
  • The rehabilitation/replacement of six large diameter discharge pipes from the Bryant Street Pumping Station ,ranging in size from 24-inch to 48-inch diameter is included in the CIP. Construction of this project is scheduled to start in 2010. Also, included in the CIP is the rehabilitation of the parking deck bridge ramp connecting the rooftop parking area over the Meter Shop and Warehouse building at the Bryant Street Pumping Station site.
  • The Fort Reno Pumping Station will be upgraded to improve pressure in the fourth high service area in the northwest quadrant of the District. This project includes the replacement of pump controls, three existing variable drives and electrical equipment. The improvements also include an emergency backup generator and twenty-eight (28) remote pressure monitoring stations at critical locations in the water distribution system, which will improve system operations. Construction is currently scheduled to commence in 2010.
  • A project to upgrade the 16th and Alaska Avenue Pumping Station includes the installation of redundant suction and discharge headers; replacement of the electrical distribution equipment and controls; improvements to the ventilation system for cooling of the station and provisions for a second electric feeder. This project is scheduled to commence in 2011.
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DDOT Water Program

This program includes projects for relocation, rehabilitation, replacement and extension of water mains, for which the work is completed under District Department of Transportation (DDOT) construction contracts for street paving or reconstruction

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Water Storage Facilities

Studies have identified the need for several new storage facilities to support changing development patterns, to provide additional water pressure to certain areas of the District, and to provide emergency backup service. The most immediate need is for two million gallons of elevated storage tank in the southern portion of the Anacostia first high service area. Coordination with District authorities to obtain zoning approvals will be completed by early 2011 with design commencing in late 2009, and construction scheduled to be completed in 2013. In addition, siting studies for the two new storage facilities are scheduled as follows: 5 million gallon reservoir in the 2nd high service area, expected to commence in 2009 (Project MR), and a 2 million gallon elevated storage tank in the 4th high service area, expected to start in 2014 (Project MQ). Design of each of these facilities follows the completion of the siting study with construction commencing in 2012 and 2017 respectively.

Design for the emergency rehabilitation of the Fort Stanton Reservoir #2 is scheduled to commence in early 2009 with construction also commencing in 2009. The emergency work is required to stop the leakage of reservoir, and repair the damage caused by the failure of the embankment and drainage system near the reservoir.

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Water Service Area — Management

This program area provides engineering program management services for the water system capital improvements program, including assessing system needs, developing facilities plans and conceptual designs, and managing design consultants through the development of scope of work, cost estimates, task orders or agreements, and design document review. In 2008, a draft water system facilities plan was submitted and is currently under review. The plan includes water demand projections and identifies needs through 2030.

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Lead Service Replacement Program

In 2008, DC WASA achieved its goal and replaced over 3,000 lead services lines in public space. Through 2008 DC WASA had replaced approximately 17,000 lead service lines in public space, well on the way to the Board's 2006 resolve of replacing the original inventory of 23,000 lines by 2010 (and any additional lines over the 23,000 originally inventoried, to be replaced no later than 2016). This success is attributable to improved coordination with the District's Department of Transportation's (DDOT) paving plan and the efficient selection of blocks with a high number of lead service lines outside DDOT's plan. In September 2008, the DC WASA Board of Directors approved a significant modification of the Lead Service Replacement (LSR) Policy to encourage full service line replacements and to manage costs. Throughout 2008, DC WASA conducted extensive public outreach, received formal public comment on the LSR program, completed cost-benefit analysis, consulted with experts from the Centers for Disease Control, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and George Washington University Center for Public Health and local health officials, resulting in management development of options for completion of the LSR program. Under the newly structured LSR program, lead lines in public space (between the main and the property line) will continue to be replaced with copper pipe in conjunction with DC WASA's ongoing water main replacement projects when DC Department of Transportation is conducting street paving and the customers in that area agree to have the private side replaced or where a customer is replacing the private portion of a lead service line and requests DC WASA to replace the public side of the lead line with funds budgeted for that purpose.

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Metering

The meter installation / Automated Meter Reading (AMR) program, representing approximately 125,000 customer locations under the original contract is substantially completed. Meter Operations is in process of completing the less than 1% of the remaining meters in 2009. We are also in the process of upgrading the automated meter reading equipment. This planned upgrade is part of DC WASA's preventative maintenance program for the Data Collection Units (DCUs), which collect approximately 250,000 meter readings per day and are an essential asset to our billing process. The upgrade allows DC WASA to move to the current version of AMR software in addition to providing two-way communication from the meter transmitting units (MTUs) to the data collection units (DCUs) (the original equipment provided for one-way communication). The AMR upgrade will be done in phases with the DCU replacements starting in 2009 and the MTU replacements completed in conjunction with our meter/MTU preventative maintenance program planned over a seven year period (2010 through 2016).

You can find out more about DC WASA's meters in our Consumer Services & Outreach section.

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