PUBLIC HEARING ON DC WASA SEWER RATE CHANGE

February 11, 2009

Public Hearing

WEDNESDAY, February 18, 2009 • 6:30 p.m.
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
777 North Capitol Street, NE (Within walking distance of Union Station)

The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC WASA) Board of Directors will host a public hearing to seek comments on:

A change in the retail rate for sanitary sewer service (decreased from $3.47 to $3.31 per one hundred cubic feet [Ccf]) for customers, and

The implementation of an Impervious Surface Area Charge* of $1.24 per month per Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) for all properties in the District of Columbia.

This unbundling of the sewer charge is an equitable way to recover the costs of a federally mandated $2.2 billion project to reduce combined sewer overflows (CSOs) in the Potomac and Anacostia rivers and Rock Creek. With this new billing structure, the cost of the CSO control program is removed from the volumetric retail sewer charge and reflected in a separate Impervious Surface Area ** Charge. If approved, these billing adjustments will become effective May 1, 2009. In the first year, all residential customers would be charged one (1) ERU while all non-residential property owners would be assigned ERUs based upon the total amount of impervious surface on each lot.

Each individual or representative of an organization who wishes to present testimony at the public hearing is requested to furnish his or her name, address, telephone number and name or organization (if any) by calling (202) 787-2330 or emailing the request to Lmanley@dcwasa.com no later than 5:00 p.m., Monday, February 16, 2009. Presentations by individuals will be limited to five (5) minutes. Those by representatives of an organization are limited to ten (10) minutes. For more information, please call (202) 787-2330 or visit our website www.dcwasa.com.

* This charge applies to all DC WASA customers and all other property owners in the District of Columbia.

** Impervious areas are man-made surfaces that cannot be easily penetrated by water such as rooftops, paved driveways, patios, and parking lots.

Serving the Public • Protecting the Environment

Latest News

Tree and debris removal for environmental rehabilitation

Work is nearly complete on the downstream section of the Potomac Interceptor to reinforce the pipeline with geopolymer. The concrete-like material will strengthen and restore the structural integrity of the pipe. Completion of the geopolymer lining downstream is one of the final steps to restore flow to the interceptor and finish the emergency repair.

This comes one month since the last overflow reached the Potomac River.

geopolymer downstream

As emergency repairs continue, today marks 27 days, nearly one month, with no overflow reaching the Potomac River.

Crews are making significant progress to reinforce the downstream section of pipe from the collapse site and completed 240 linear feet of geopolymer overnight. Crews are working to apply another layer of geopolymer today. The material is similar in strength to concrete and when applied restores the structural integrity of the pipe.

photo inside tunnel with geopolymer

Reinforcement of the upstream section of the Potomac Interceptor has been completed, marking the halfway point in emergency repairs following the January 19 sewer line collapse. Crews continue to advance repairs on schedule, with full project completion expected by mid-March.

Upcoming Meeting

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April 24, 2023

Monday 9:00 AM

Announcement

Map of lane closure
Traffic Advisory: Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway NW Lane Closure Beginning Jan 19

Beginning on or about January 19, 2026, weather permitting, DC Water will implement a temporary lane closure on Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway NW b

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
March 11, 2026
Wednesday, 9:30 AM

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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.