What We Do
Preventing Sewer Overflows
You Can Help!
You can help improve the water quality in the District.
Please don't litter or use catch basins as trash receptacles! In addition to the unpleasant physical appearance, trash and debris deposited on public streets, private property and right-of-ways often washes into catch basins and storm inlets.
Trash on street washes into catch basin.
Catch basins can fill with trash.
Don't use catch basins as trash receptacles or to dispose of leaves! Debris in catch basins can cause local flooding and increase the potential for dry weather overflows (see photo below).
Trash in the catch basins can cause problems.
Trash on the Potomac River shoreline.
Handle household hazardous wastes responsibly! Improperly handled wastes often end up in storm, sanitary or combined sewers, increasing the potential for introduction into the environment. Examples of some typical household hazardous wastes include: paint, insecticides, cleaning fluids, and used automobile oil.
DC WASA Is Doing Its Part! DC WASA is doing its part to control & remove solids, floatables, and trash on the receiving waters.
Anacostia River Floatables Debris Program
DC WASA operates boats which remove
floatable debris from the Anacostia
River. The program removes large quantities
of debris, as illustrated
in the photograph above.
Anacostia Floating End-of-Pipe
Netting System
DC WASA is demonstrating a floating
end-of-pipe netting system at
CSO 018 on the Anacostia River
to remove solids and floatables
from overflows. The system has
been operational since April 2000.
Help Stop Dry Weather Overflows! During dry weather conditions, sanitary wastewater in the combined sewer system is not usually discharged to receiving waters. However, regulators, which control the flow of sanitary and storm waste in combined sewers, can become blocked by debris, trash, and other materials. When this occurs, the regulator's functions can be impaired and can result in minor overflows during dry weather. These are called Dry Weather Overflows (DWOs). DC WASA has an intensive maintenance and inspection program to prevent DWOs from occurring. When DWOs do occur, DC WASA corrects them and takes measures to prevent their recurrence.
Dry Weather Overflow
Report Dry Weather Overflows
If you notice a sewer overflow issue during dry weather, please call DC WASA at 202-612-3400.