DC Water and DDOT begin restoration activities by assessing roadway in 3rd Street Tunnel

August 26, 2021
3rd Street Tunnel Restoration

Ongoing interagency coordination key to successful response

DC Water and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) are working closely together in the 3rd Street Tunnel to assess the condition of the damaged pavement and to plan restoration activities.

The break, which began early Monday morning, was on an 8-inch water main inside the 3rd Street Tunnel. Crews isolated the break and restored water to customers by Monday evening. DC Water located and repaired the break in the pipeline –that was installed in 1974 and services the fire hydrants in the tunnel – Tuesday night and are now working with DDOT on repair to the pavement. While there, DC Water also plans to evaluate options to further protect the water system within the tunnel to enhance reliability in the future.

Traffic patterns are expected to remain the same throughout the restoration. The northbound travel lanes in the tunnel are open. Southbound lanes of the 3rd Street Tunnel, NW, between New York Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue will remain closed until further notice. Please continue to use alternate routes.

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Excavators in the canal digging up soil and another excavator removing the soil to a dump truck to be hauled away

DC Water and its contractor have made significant progress on soil removal, reaching the clay liner between locks 13 and 14 of the C & O Canal, which was used as a bypass for wastewater during the Potomac Interceptor repairs.

Work continues to remove sludge between locks 10 and 13, which is expected to be completed by mid- to late-April. The soil will then be removed down to the clay liner as the final step, and the canal reconstructed to meet National Park Service specifications.

Soil Removal Underway with Excavator in Canal

Today, DC Water and its contractors began removing contaminated soil between locks 13 and 14 in the C & O Canal, which was used as a temporary bypass during the Potomac Interceptor repair effort. Clean-up efforts are ongoing at Lock 10 with work to remove sludge now getting underway between locks 11 and 13.

Aerial shot of Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatement Plant

Series 2026 Bond Transaction Delivers Significant Long-Term Cost Savings

DC Water has closed on a refinancing deal for its Series 2026 bonds that will save customers millions of dollars and keep rates affordable across the District. The refinancing transaction, which closed this month, delivers approximately $54 million in budget savings over the next twenty years, directly benefiting DC ratepayers through reduced costs.

Upcoming Meeting

Board of Directors Meeting

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

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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 7, 2026
Tuesday, 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.