DC Water holds two public meetings on proposal to modify Long Term Control Plan to include green infrastructure

January 30, 2014

DC Water’s Clean Rivers Team will publicly present and explain its proposal to leverage green infrastructure (GI) to reduce combined sewer overflows into the Potomac River and Rock Creek while greening portions of the District on a large scale.

The public is encouraged to attend to learn more and to submit comments on the proposal.

The meetings will be held the week of February 17, as follows:

• February 18, 2014, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School (1524 35th Street NW)

• February 20, 2014, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Petworth Public Library (4200 Kansas Avenue NW)

Green infrastructure is a natural way to manage stormwater, by absorbing rain before it makes its way to the sewer or stormwater system. Examples include green roofs, bioretention, rain barrels and pervious pavement. Keeping stormwater out of the sewer system can go a long way to improving the health of our local waterways, since it contributes to combined sewer overflows (CSOs) in heavy rain storms. The plan calls for a nearly $100 million investment to green areas of DC that are impacted by combined sewer overflows (CSOs).

Information on the proposal can also be found at: dcwater.com/green

Latest News

View of Mary at bottom of shaft inside tunnel shown from above

First turn of cutterhead signals the start of excavation for the Potomac River Tunnel Project

In a defining moment for one of the District’s largest infrastructure investments, DC Water has marked its next major milestone in the Potomac River Tunnel Project. The first tunnel boring machine, Mary, has launched her northbound journey breaking through the soil to signal the start of excavation.

With the first turn of Mary’s drill-like cutterhead underground, the machine pushed forward to begin tunneling, representing the transition from years of planning and preparation to active tunnel construction on the $819 million project.

Photo of the vegetation growing back in the culvert area
  • DC Water has completed soil removal, utilizing excavators and manual digging, to expose the clay lining for the C & O Canal between locks 13 and 14. This is the final step in the clean-up process ...
Workers manually removing soil between the locks

Work is progressing on the clean-up for the C & O Canal which was used as a bypass while the Potomac Interceptor was repaired. Workers are focused on removing sludge between locks 11 and 12. Soil removal is also nearly complete between locks 12 and 14, reaching the canal's clay liner. Workers are now manually removing additional materials in some areas.

Upcoming Meeting

Board of Directors Meeting

April 24, 2023

Monday 9:00 AM

Announcement

View of Mary at bottom of shaft inside tunnel shown from above
DC Water Launches Tunnel Boring Machine Mary, Marking Important Step for Potomac River Tunnel Project

First turn of cutterhead signals the start of excavation for the Potomac River Tunnel Project

In a defining moment for one of the District’s largest infrastructure investments, DC Water has marked its next major milestone in the Potomac River Tunnel Project. The first tunnel boring machine, Mary, has launched her northbound journey breaking through the soil to signal the start of excavation.

With the first turn of Mary’s drill-like cutterhead underground, the machine pushed forward to begin tunneling, representing the transition from years of planning and preparation to active tunnel construction on the $819 million project.

Latest Blog Post
A helicopter lowers a drill rig to workers on the Potomac River.
DC Water begins drilling in Potomac River to explore options to rehab underwater sewer line
When one of your major sewer lines runs through the Potomac River, a backhoe and trencher won't do. That's why we've got helicopters carrying a 14-ton drill and workers suspended midair over the Potomac.
Upcoming Meeting
Date
April 15, 2026
Wednesday, 9:30 AM

Customer Service Center Announcement

Payment Plan Incentive: provides a credit back of 50% of the last 3 payments made. Eligible participants are residential customers who have had an outstanding balance for 60 days or greater and with an outstanding balance of $500 or more.