DC Water - Greater Greater Washington

A shifty shift of funds?

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:24:00 EDT

Muriel Bowser and the committee she chairs pulled funding for relocating DC Water to make way for a Capitol Riverfront mixed-use project. Instead, the money will pay for three projects in Bowser's Ward 4. (WBJ)

Comment

Less flooding, but other problems

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:24:00 EDT

by David Alpert

To deal with Bloomingdale flooding, DC Water will build a giant tunnel under some streets, but residents of those streets are upset at the plans, which could close their streets for 2-3 years and destroy trees. (City Paper)

Comment

Green jobs should be part of Clean Rivers

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 11:25:00 EDT

by Jahi Wise

DC residents and business owners are footing the bill to fix the city's outdated stormwater infrastructure. Let's get green jobs in the bargain.

Stormwater runoff is a byproduct of our developing city. We've turned much of our land into paved streets, parking lots, sidewalks and rooftops; when it rains, millions of gallons of water rush into our antiquated storm-sewer system, which causes flooding and sends untreated sewage and other pollutants into area rivers.

The city entered into a legal agreement with the EPA in 2005 to end sewer overflows into the Potomac, Anacostia, and Rock Creek waterways by 2025. To meet this goal DC Water developed the $2.6 billion Clean Rivers Project, which will fix and replace the DC's outdated storm sewer system.

The project is being financed almost exclusively by DC residents, which means that by 2019 the average resident's monthly DC water bill will exceed $100. However, few DC residents are getting jobs as a result of this massive spending.

According to DC Water's most recent employment report, 85 employees on DC Water projects live in North Carolina, more than the 63 employees who live in Wards 7 and 8. It's time to seriously consider how we get the most bang for our collective buck: clean rivers and green jobs.

Reducing and ultimately eliminating sewage overflows into our rivers is the primary focus of the Clean Rivers Project, but it doesn't have to be the only return we see on this massive investment of ratepayer money. With political will and imagination, we could use these billions of dollars to create thousands of living wage green jobs and spur green neighborhood revitalization across the city as well.

Late last year, DC Water entered into a preliminary partnership agreement with the EPA to explore green infrastructure as an alternative to the current big-tunnel approach. Solutions could include rain gardens, green roofs, and pervious pavers, which unlike traditional pavement allows water to filter through to the ground below.

This could create thousands of living wage, career-track jobs digging rain gardens, planting trees and maintaining green roofs. Our initial research suggests that investing $40 million a year in green infrastructure could create more than 300 living wage jobs.

DC Water could divert hundreds of millions of dollars into green infrastructure over the next 12 years. These green jobs would go a long way to dealing with stubborn unemployment numbers in wards 5, 7, and 8 and create new tax revenue for the city.

However, these green jobs won't reach unemployed DC residents unless the leaders at DC Water make it a priority. We need an organized base of ratepayers, job-seekers, businesses and environmentalists holding city leaders accountable for training and preparing unemployed DC workers for these green jobs and holding contractors and DC Water and its contractors accountable for hiring them.

Focusing on green job creation in the Clean Rivers Project will also broaden public support for green infrastructure—public support that can make sure green infrastructure projects get done. DC Water will inevitably face hurdles navigating DC's maze of local, federal and private land to install hundreds of acres of green infrastructure. They will need long-term city-wide resident buy-in to hold local and federal government and agencies accountable for working together to fund, build, and maintain these projects.

With political will, green infrastructure can be a viable solution to our stormwater problems. Our organization, the Washington Interfaith Network, a local citizen power organization made up of faith, labor and community based organizations, is building a citywide coalition supporting green infrastructure in the Clean Rivers Project. We would like it to include a clear comprehensive plan for green job creation and neighborhood revitalization along with river restoration.

On Earth Day 2013, we will gather 800 neighborhood leaders at Temple Sinai, next to Rock Creek Park, with officials from DC Water and City Council to make public commitments for creating such a plan in the next six months. With $2.6 billion in debt to pay back, we can't afford to do otherwise.

9 comments

DC Water is spending big

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 08:29:00 EDT

by Nick Casey

DC Water is spending $2.6 billion on tunnels to keep stormwater out of basements and the Anacostia River. When completed, the tunnels will be 12.8 miles long. (Post)

Comment

Where does the water go? (Oct 30, 2012)
DC Water increasing impervious area charge, water rates (Mar 9, 2011)
Vancouver-style Anacostia ferries and the Water Mall (Oct 2, 2012)
With DC stormwater, who pays, and for what? (Jun 22, 2012)
How much land is in each quadrant? (Mar 18, 2011)

Bigger park, taller buildings on tap for McMillan site

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 13:41:00 EDT

by Malcolm Kenton

DC Water will temporarily use two former water filtration cells in the McMillan Sand Filtration Site to store excess rainwater and mitigate flooding in neighborhoods like Bloomingdale beginning in spring 2014. That decision forces Vision McMillan Partners (VMP) to redraw its plans to transform the site into a mixed-use neighborhood.

Rendering of redesigned park space at the south end of McMillan. Image from Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects.

The previous plan called for new rowhouses on the south end of the site to extend the character of the existing neighborhoods. A park in the middle would have separated the townhouses from denser mixed-use towers on the north end.

Instead, VMP will now construct a larger park on the south end, build new rowhouses in the middle, make the buildings on the north end a bit taller, and construct more roads through the development.

VMP's next step is to design the buildings themselves. They will hold a community meeting about preliminary building designs on Saturday, April 20, 10 am-noon at a location to be announced.

Under the Northeast Boundary Neighborhood Protection Project, developed by the Mayor's Task Force on the Prevention of Flooding, DC Water will store excess rainwater runoff in the two cells as a temporary remedy for flooding. In the long run, DC Water's Clean Rivers Project will build large underground sewers to store water by around 2022. When that is done, the two cells will be drained and will become available for use, potentially as unique public spaces.

The now larger park along Channing Street NW will feature an open grassy lawn. One of the filtration cells to store excess runoff will be underneath part of the park. The other cell lies at the site's northeast corner, and the original development plans already called for retaining it.

Rendering of the newly-designed park space, seen from North Capitol Street at Channing Street NW. Image from Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects.

At the east end, next to the park's main entrance on North Capitol Street, will be a small pond that echoes the now-underground Tiber Creek which once flowed across the site. The pond will also serve as a reservoir for the site's stormwater runoff, allowing pollutants to settle out of it before it enters the combined sewer system.

Next to the pond will be an amphitheater and a community center with a green roof. The west end will feature a sculpture garden and plaza, with a spray jet fountain and smaller park spaces between the two, alongside the open grassy area. A tree-lined "Olmstead Walk" will surround the entire development, including the park.

Vision McMillan Partners' new planned layout for the site.

The office and residential buildings with ground-floor retail on the north end will be fewer than under the original plan (5 instead of 9), but taller. Instead of being in a stand-alone building, the "premium" grocery store will be on the ground floor of a 6-story apartment building.

The plan won't set back the buildings along North Capitol Street as far as under the original plan. Much of the office space will remain devoted to medical offices.

There will be less public space in the non-park areas of the site. The North Service Court (one of the two rows of original sand towers and regulator houses that sit on the site today) will feature wider sidewalks, but there will also be more through roads. Douglas and Evarts Streets will extend across the site (Douglas using the South Service Court as its median), a new Middle Street NW will use the North Service Court as its median, and a new Half Street NW will run north-south from Michigan Avenue down to Douglas Street.

The new plan integrates affordable housing throughout the development, instead of having a particular apartment building dedicated to affordable senior housing.

6 comments

Go green to save green

Fri, 14 Dec 2012 08:36:00 EDT

by Steven Yates

Instead of a large and expensive tunnel system, DC Water may go for a more decentralized, greener solution for its stormwater management plan, involving rain barrels and rain gardens that could even save money. (DCmud)

Comment

Use McMillan site to stop flooding?

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 08:34:00 EDT

by Thaddeus Bell

DC may create catchment tanks at the McMillan sand filtration site to prevent flooding in Bloomingdale and LeDroit Park. The planned 1st Street relief sewer may also happen sooner than planned. (Post)

Comment

Get to know the McMillan water filtration plant (Sep 22, 2011)
At McMillan site, compromise could be beautiful (Oct 29, 2010)
Thomas plan would split McMillan from affected residents (Nov 1, 2011)
McMillan visions take shape (Nov 22, 2010)
New McMillan plan blends growth and preservation (May 7, 2012)

And...

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 08:40:00 EDT

by Steven Yates

Here's what a DC taxi smart meter looks like. (DCist) ... Montgomery County adds enforcement cameras to school buses. (Patch) ... Do you think DC's tap water tastes different than bottled? (DCist) ... Building single-family houses on a roof? (Grist)

Comment

Cyclists: Report bike potholes for Potholepalooza (Mar 22, 2011)
DC press doesn't fall for bike-baiting (Jan 3, 2011)
Study says bike lanes really work (Oct 20, 2008)
Weekend video: Complete streets mean more than bike lanes (May 14, 2011)
17th Street bike lanes incorrectly striped (Sep 3, 2010)

With DC stormwater, who pays, and for what?

Fri, 22 Jun 2012 12:38:00 EDT

by Brianne Nadeau

Water bills for DC residents and businesses may increase soon to help pay for improved stormwater infrastructure. But not everyone agrees how to pay for the infrastructure or even what kind of infrastructure to build.

Photo by eutrophication&hypoxia on Flickr.

Next week DC Water's Retail Rates Committee will meet to decide what rate increases will take effect this fall for customers whose properties have characteristics that contribute to stormwater runoff and pollution. As they do this, advocates are calling for a more equitable distribution of fees as well as discounts for low-income residents.

And as DC Water moves ahead with plans to manage stormwater runoff, it is also working to convince the Environmental Protection Agency that implementing green infrastructure would reduce the amount of runoff altogether and decrease the need for more expensive projects.

DC struggles with the causes and costs of stormwater runoff

Every time we get a torrential downpour in DC, the first thing I think about (other than why haven't I bought good rain boots yet?) is the incredible amount of pollution that will be flowing into our rivers and stream. This happens because of the amount of impervious surfaces in the District.

Impervious surfaces, or surfaces such as concrete, brick, and asphalt that are non-porous and do not allow rain to seep through them into the ground, make up 42% of the District's land area. This is typical in urban settings, but it means that rather than rainwater being absorbed by a grassy yard, field, or forest floor, it flows downhill, washing all of the filth accumulated on the ground into storm drains.

To make matters worse, about one-third of DC is served by a sewer system that combines both stormwater and sewage. This system also serves customers in parts of Maryland and Virginia. The sheer volume of stormwater runoff from this large, urbanized are is much greater than our system can handle.

As a result, when heavy storms happen the system must release overflow into our waterways before it has been treated, polluting Rock Creek, the Anacostia, and Potomac Rivers and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay.

There is a plan in progress to add 3 sets of massive storage tunnels to our system. The first set, to serve the Anacostia River, is now under construction. The second two will serve the Potomac River and the Rock Creek system.

This program, called the Clean Rivers project, will cost DC Water $2.6 billion and is funded in part by the fastest growing component of your water bill: the Clean Rivers Impervious Area Charge (IAC). The IACs go up each year, most recently by 92%. Another 47$ increase is proposed for October 1.

District residents foot disproportionate share of the bill

The current fee structure put in place to address this issue disproportionately puts 93% of the burden on DC customers, with the customers in Maryland and Virginia paying only 7%.

Some might argue that these suburban jurisdictions should not have to pay into the Clean Rivers project to assist DC with the management of its own stormwater. However, there have been, and continue to be, major savings for these jurisdictions by virtue of being a part of our system, and it's completely appropriate to re-examine this arrangement under our current circumstances.

Furthermore, IACs apply only inside squares and lots, and not to impervious areas in DC's transportation rights of way. Yet the fact is that 47% of the impervious surfaces in DC are roads, streets, sidewalks, and alleys. While DC residents benefit heavily from them, suburban residents, businesses, commuters, and visitors get big benefits from them as well.

Additionally, there is currently no difference in the fee structure for residential customers and commercial customers. Commercial properties, such as office buildings, benefit disproportionately from the roads and sidewalks that employees, customers, and suppliers use to get there, and they additionally have the opportunity to disperse costs to their customers. It makes sense to have a slightly higher fee structure for them than, say, a single-family home.

Although DC Water has established a Customer Assistance Program (CAP) for low-income residential customers, that CAP does not apply to the IAC portion of the bill. Before the IACs started to increase so dramatically, bills under the CAP averaged about one-half of other residential bills.

Many of our residents in DC live on fixed incomes and would be deeply impacted by this type of increase in their water bills. In a recent letter, I urged DC Water to set a 50% discount for the IAC component of bills to CAP customers.

Reduce runoff instead of storing it

DC Water has been required by the EPA to build this new system of storage tunnels to manage stormwater runoff, and as it stands, DC customers will pay the bulk of the cost it takes to implement this new system. The desperately needed storage tunnel for the Anacostia runoff is being built and needs to be paid for.

Before construction begins on the remaining two storage tunnels, however, DC Water is hoping to persuade the EPA to re-examine the current requirements and instead allow for a plan involving the aggressive implementation of green infrastructure to reduce runoff altogether instead of storing it.

This would involve green roofs, permeable pavement and roads, and new trees and gardens. It would have the added benefit of creating jobs, improving air quality, adding green space to our communities, and creating subsidies for property owners to take individual action. That sounds a lot better to me than a couple of underground tunnels.

We can encourage the EPA to support DC Water's proposal by writing to EPA Regional Administrator Shawn Garvin. We also don't have to wait to make green improvements to our properties. The District Department of the Environment offers incentives to homeowners for green property enhancements through its Riversmart Program.

Runoff reduction strategies can be implemented incrementally, improve our streets and neighborhoods, and may even be more cost effective than stormwater storage infrastructure. Check it out. I'm looking into rain barrels for my home this week. Maybe after that I'll finally get those rain boots.

25 comments

DC Water increasing impervious area charge, water rates (Mar 9, 2011)
Impervious Area Charge is an integral part of sewer service (Oct 8, 2010)
Navy Yard sidewalks get sustainable stormwater systems (Sep 1, 2010)
DC Council is baaaack! (Sep 16, 2008)
Stormwater program nears reality in Prince George's (Jun 21, 2012)

Better sewers benefit all

Tue, 05 Jun 2012 08:42:00 EDT

by Christopher Honey

DC Water's $2.6 billion Clean Rivers project will improve water quality across the region, so the entire region should help pay for it and not just DC ratepayers, argues a Brookings fellow. (Post op-ed)

Comment

DC Water increasing impervious area charge, water rates (Mar 9, 2011)
Impervious Area Charge is an integral part of sewer service (Oct 8, 2010)
The Anacostia River can again be swimmable and fishable (Feb 9, 2012)
17th Street project creates huge water main break (Jan 11, 2010)

Green features vs. bigger sewers

Fri, 25 May 2012 08:23:00 EDT

by David Alpert

DC Water wants to encourage more green roofs and such, and they hope that will decrease the size of new sewer tunnels they have to dig under a federal court settlement. Some environmental groups say the green features are great, but won't be enough to shrink the tunnels. (Post)

Comment

Impervious Area Charge is an integral part of sewer service (Oct 8, 2010)
Environmental groups identify $145B of immediate green stimulus (Dec 11, 2008)
DC Council is baaaack! (Sep 16, 2008)
Nationals Park falling behind in green standings (Nov 18, 2011)
Arlington gets a green house (Apr 9, 2010)

Not enough money for water

Wed, 23 May 2012 08:31:00 EDT

by David Alpert

DC Water may not be able to afford new sewers mandated by the federal government. Brookings thinks surrounding governments need to chip in, but will they really? (City Paper)

Comment

Love bicycling and water infrastructure?

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 09:07:00 EDT

by Steven Yates

WABA and DC Water are teaming up for a bike tour of several DC Water facilities, to show how things work today and how DC Water will mitigate sewer overflows in the future. (WABA)

Comment

DC tops "most improved" bicycling list (May 8, 2008)
What's green and fun in the spring? A Greenbelt bike tour, a Dupont green festival, and bike fundraisers (Apr 6, 2010)
DC Water increasing impervious area charge, water rates (Mar 9, 2011)
Almost like Summer Streets: Bike DC (Sep 19, 2008)
WalkingTown DC schedule released (May 6, 2009)

The Anacostia River can again be swimmable and fishable

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:39:00 EDT

by Brent Bolin

The Anacostia River is widely called DC's "forgotten river," a term coined by Anacostia Watershed Society's founding president, Robert Boone, to reflect the river's second-class status in our nation's capital city.

Photo by Ardyiii on Flickr.

The Anacostia should be a community asset: a river safe for swimming and fishing, per the federal Clean Water Act. In many ways the Anacostia River is not forgotten anymore, but rather a well-kept secret for the recreational opportunities it does offer, including biking, paddling, and surprising beauty and solitude.

My organization, the Anacostia Watershed Society, has been working to improve the Anacostia for 20 years. We and the Anacostia Community Boathouse Association will discuss the river and its recreational future with local leaders and residents at a public forum this Saturday.

At the head of the river in Maryland, over a dozen crew teams from the region call Bladensburg Waterfront Park home, including University of Maryland, Catholic University, Elizabeth Seton High School, DeMatha Catholic High School, and Walter Johnson High School. You can even learn to row with the Washington Rowing School, rent a canoe or paddle boat from Prince George's County Department of Parks and Recreation, or take a guided river tour with AWS.

This park is also the gateway to the Anacostia Tributary Trail System, a biker's paradise of trails stretching up to Greenbelt and Wheaton that within 2 years will connect southward along the river to the existing Anacostia Riverwalk Trail in the District.

The Anacostia River has a rich history of recreational use. Eastern Power Boat Club, founded in 1905, is the country's first power boat club, and Seafarer's Yacht Club, founded in 1945, is the oldest African-American yacht club on the east coast. Seafarer's has a long commitment to community service and the health of the river, starting the annual Anacostia River clean up that has grown into a major annual Earth Day event, and AWS is a proud partner.

Other members of the Historic Anacostia Boating Association are also along Boathouse Row (Water and M Streets SE), including District Yacht Club and Washington Yacht Club, as well as the Anacostia Community Boathouse, a home for rowers and recreational paddlers.

AWS is a founding member of the Anacostia Community Boathouse Association, and with ACBA's excellent new facilities at 1900 M Street SE, AWS has begun to increase our recreational paddling programs. In 2011, AWS "Paddle Nights" attracted several dozen people down to the river every 2 weeks and opened their eyes to the possibilities of a clean, healthy Anacostia River.

If you don't know about something, it is hard to care about it. In short, recreation equals stewardship, and we believe that more citizens should come to know and love the Anacostia River.

In light of AWS activities to clean up the river, we are often asked if it is safe to recreate on the Anacostia River. The answer is yes, if you are sensible about it. Don't swim, don't drink the water, and be careful about eating the fish. But please walk, bike, row, paddle, or simply look at and enjoy the river.

In order to share this information more widely, AWS and ACBA are hosting a River Health and Public Recreation Forum this Saturday, February 11, 9-11 am, at the First District Police Station, 101 M Street SW.

Councilmember Tommy Wells, Dr. Janet Phoenix of the DC Environmental Health Collaborative, Dr. Sacoby Wilson of the University of Maryland, Collin Burrell of the District Department of Environment, and Donal Barron of DC Water will give a brief panel presentation, followed by an audience Q&A. Topics will range from recreational safety to the risks posed by the river's various pollution sources, including bacteria, stormwater, toxics, and trash.

Although we've still got a ways to go to reach our goal of a swimmable and fishable Anacostia River, it is already a community asset for those who know its charms. Come down to the river and learn for yourself what many locals already know: the Anacostia is an urban oasis, and could yet be a better one if we have the willpower to make it happen. This well-kept secret is really a hidden gem.

27 comments

Weekend video: Cleaning up Rock Creek (May 8, 2011)
DC Water increasing impervious area charge, water rates (Mar 9, 2011)
See you Sunday in Anacostia, 3 weeks at Clybourne Park (Jul 8, 2011)
Join GGW at Anacostia Community Museum & Art Gallery (Jun 15, 2011)
On the calendar: Walk, bike, park, and paddle (Sep 11, 2009)

Water infrastructure funding running dry

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 08:40:00 EDT

by David Edmondson

Water and sewage infrastructure faces a massive maintenance backlog but little funding to fix it. This means 450 line breaks per year in DC, 300 in Fairfax and 1,440 in Montgomery. (Post)

Comment

DC Water increasing impervious area charge, water rates (Mar 9, 2011)
17th Street project creates huge water main break (Jan 11, 2010)
Impervious Area Charge is an integral part of sewer service (Oct 8, 2010)
What will we fund if Maryland increases the gas tax? (Jan 11, 2011)
Navy Yard sidewalks get sustainable stormwater systems (Sep 1, 2010)

DC getting a new tunnel

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 08:45:00 EDT

by Eric Fidler

DC Water broke ground on its massive tunnel that will store stormwater and sewage. Currently, the combined sewer system dumps untreated sewage into local rivers during heavy rainfall. (DCist)

Comment

Navy Yard sidewalks get sustainable stormwater systems (Sep 1, 2010)
Impervious Area Charge is an integral part of sewer service (Oct 8, 2010)
DC Water increasing impervious area charge, water rates (Mar 9, 2011)
17th Street project creates huge water main break (Jan 11, 2010)
Environmental groups identify $145B of immediate green stimulus (Dec 11, 2008)

DC Water at odds with Earthjustice

Fri, 20 May 2011 08:43:00 EDT

by Eric Fidler

DC Water's general manager George Hawkins thinks low-impact development can effectively mitigate some storm water runoff. Earthjustice disagrees and wants the interceptor tunnels finished right away. (Post)

Comment

DC Water increasing impervious area charge, water rates (Mar 9, 2011)
Impervious Area Charge is an integral part of sewer service (Oct 8, 2010)
Where does your DC Water come from? (Jun 22, 2010)
Live chat: DDOE Director George Hawkins, Tuesday at 2 pm (Apr 20, 2009)
Live chat with George Hawkins of DC Water (Mar 15, 2011)

No gas for water head

Thu, 05 May 2011 08:33:00 EDT

by David Alpert

DC Water head George Hawkins started driving an electric car to cut emissions. Since most of his trips are short (but not necessarily to transit nodes), he uses almost no gas. (NBC Washington)

Comment

Where does your DC Water come from? (Jun 22, 2010)
DC Water increasing impervious area charge, water rates (Mar 9, 2011)
Live chat with George Hawkins of DC Water (Mar 15, 2011)
Live chat: DDOE Director George Hawkins, Tuesday at 2 pm (Apr 20, 2009)
17th Street project creates huge water main break (Jan 11, 2010)

And...

Tue, 03 May 2011 08:30:00 EDT

by Erik Weber

Mayor Gray will show off an urban farm in Ledroit Park to England's Prince Charles today. (City Paper) ... Please don't leap through Metro train doors leaving your kid behind on the platform. (goDCgo) ... Apparently MARC riders can be real slobs. (Baltimore Sun) ... Silver Spring got its first street food cart this week. (Patch)

Comment

DC Water increasing impervious area charge, water rates (Mar 9, 2011)
Where does your DC Water come from? (Jun 22, 2010)
Impervious Area Charge is an integral part of sewer service (Oct 8, 2010)
17th Street project creates huge water main break (Jan 11, 2010)
Blog of the Month (May 28, 2008)

And...

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 08:28:00 EDT

by David Alpert

Maryland might fail to do much about Pepco reliability (Post) ... An upcoming GAO report will criticize the CDC for downplaying lead risks in DC water in 2004 (Post) ... The TSA administrator addressed—or should we say indoctrinated—new Metro Transit Police graduates.

Comment

Use a market mechanism to push Pepco reliability (Dec 10, 2010)
DC Water increasing impervious area charge, water rates (Mar 9, 2011)
That nice map... never mind (Jun 24, 2010)
Why doesn't Metro post the police phone number? (Jul 14, 2010)
Riders appeal to Metro police to stop bag searches (Jan 4, 2011)

Live chat with George Hawkins of DC Water

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 11:50:00 EDT

by David Alpert

Our live chat guest today, George Hawkins, is the General Manager of DC Water, the water utility for the District of Columbia.

Hawkins was formerly head of the District Department of the Environment and joined us for a live chat about two years ago. Today, he's back to discuss lead pipes, the impervious area charge, and whatever else you'd like to ask.

View the chat transcript

7 comments

DC Water increasing impervious area charge, water rates (Mar 9, 2011)
Live chat: DDOE Director George Hawkins, Tuesday at 2 pm (Apr 20, 2009)
Where does your DC Water come from? (Jun 22, 2010)
Live chat with DDOE Director George Hawkins (Apr 21, 2009)
Impervious Area Charge is an integral part of sewer service (Oct 8, 2010)

Live chat with George Hawkins

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 08:43:00 EDT

by David Alpert

George Hawkins, head of DC Water, will join us for a live chat at noon today. What do you want to ask about your water? Lead and other water safety issues? The impervious area charge? Post your questions in the comments.

Comment

Live chat: DDOE Director George Hawkins, Tuesday at 2 pm (Apr 20, 2009)
Live chat: Tommy Wells, today at 3 pm (Jul 22, 2009)
DC Water increasing impervious area charge, water rates (Mar 9, 2011)
Live chat: Ron Carlee, Wednesday at noon (Aug 24, 2009)
Live chat with DDOE Director George Hawkins (Apr 21, 2009)

DC Water increasing impervious area charge, water rates

Wed, 09 Mar 2011 11:07:00 EDT

by Jamie Scott

DC Water is seeking to raise water rates approximately $6.50 per month for FY12 to fund its Clean Rivers Project and pay debt service on its 10-year $3.3 billion capital improvement budget.

Photo by Dottie Mae on Flickr.

The largest portion of the rate increase comes from a higher impervious area charge (IAC), a fee assessed on property owners for surfaces that rainwater cannot penetrate.

The utility held its first forum Tuesday night in Ward 3 to gather public input on the rate increase. DC Water General Manager George Hawkins gave a short presentation on the authority's capital improvement projects. Residents then had a chance to ask questions, most of which concerned the IAC, hydrant maintenance, and lead levels in the water.

DC Water collects the IAC to pay for its Clean Rivers Project. This project aims to clean up pollution in the Anacostia and Potomac rivers and Rock Creek. Approximately 2/3 of water runoff ends up in the Anacostia.

In the proposed budget, the IAC would increase from $3.45 to $6.87 per month, almost a 100% increase.

Other increases in DC Water rates included a retail rate increase from $46.09 to $48.84, DC PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) increase from $3.28 to $3.55, and DC Right of Way fee increase from $0.94 to $1.00. The total monthly increase would be $60.29 to $66.79, based on an average monthly consumption of 5,004 gallons of water.

Hawkins said DC Water originally intended to bundle the IAC with the retail rate for water. The fee would then depend on the water usage of a property. DC Water instead assesses the fee on all properties with impervious surfaces. This way, the fee captures properties with impervious surfaces but little to no water use (e.g. parking lots).

The IAC was a flat fee for all customers until October 1, 2010. DC Water changed the structure and created six tiers of properties, based on the amount of impervious surface on a given lot. Thus a person living in a rowhouse would pay less than the owner of a parking lot.

DC Water also collects an IAC for the District Department of the Environment (DDOE) for its own stormwater management program. One resident asked why DC Water does not call the IAC a tax. Others argued that because of water conservation systems on their property, the IAC is unfair.

Hawkins argued that the IAC is a fee, not a tax, because it is collected for a sole purpose: funding the Clean Rivers Project. For this reason, the fee also applies to the federal government, which owns a significant amount of property with impervious surfaces in the District. See this earlier post about that very issue.

Hawkins further explained that water conservation efforts would not lower the costs of the Clean River Project, so there is little incentive to offer rate deals to customers. DDOE, however, will offer incentives for conservation, thereby lowering its portion of the IAC. Hawkins indicated these incentives would be in place soon.

Though the IAC does apply to the federal government, it does not apply to District roads. Hawkins said this arrangement was part of the original decision to implement the fee. He indicated it would be difficult to now apply the fee to the city.

Hawkins highlighted some of DC Water's other capital improvement projects. The authority is replacing water mains and separating storm runoff from sewage lines.

He also said DC Water has mapped all fire hydrants in the city using GIS mapping. This allows DC Fire & EMS to monitor hydrants and find the necessary water pressure during emergencies. Low water pressure was a major factor in the fire that destroyed the Cafritz mansion in July 2009.

Lastly, Hawkins addressed questions about lead levels in the District's drinking water. He said lead levels are lower than or at federally mandated levels of 15 parts per billion. He suggested galvanized pipes, solder, or lead fixtures could increase lead levels. Residents can ask to have their water tested if they suspect higher levels of lead.

The forum was the first in a series of public meeting DC Water will hold throughout March and April, with one in each ward. They will hold a final public hearing on May 11th. Residents can submit written testimony if they cannot attend.

27 comments

Impervious Area Charge is an integral part of sewer service (Oct 8, 2010)
DC Council is baaaack! (Sep 16, 2008)
Where does your DC Water come from? (Jun 22, 2010)
Live chat: DDOE Director George Hawkins, Tuesday at 2 pm (Apr 20, 2009)
DC funding depends on 2010 Census mail-back rates (Mar 25, 2009)

And...

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 08:55:00 EDT

by David Alpert

WashCycle makes its own pie charts about bike space versus car space ... Patrick Mara appreciates walkable retail and wants DC to encourage more small businesses (Borderstan) ... DC Water is hosting town halls on planned rate increases to pay for infrastructure upgrades, starting tomorrow at UDC (AP, Cleveland Park 2.0) ... Several GGW contributors attended "Transportation Camp" this past weekend. (Huffington Post)

Comment

Put a lid on DC's reservoirs (Aug 11, 2010)
The Yards waterfront park squeezes bikes to the edge (Feb 4, 2008)
WashCycle weighs in on Georgetown (May 29, 2008)
On the calendar: Lincoln Park CaBi tonight, tons Wednesday (Oct 18, 2010)
Bike news (Jul 3, 2009)

And...

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 08:35:00 EDT

by Erik Weber

Marcel Acosta, a federal appointee to the WMATA Board, has been elevated to a voting position. (Post) ... DC Water has the largest advanced wastewater treatment plant in the world. (We Love DC, Eric Fidler) ... The winner of TBD's Nationals uniform design contest is a Metro fan. (TBD)

Comment

Marcel Acosta interviews you (Feb 22, 2010)
Feds name Mort Downey, Marcel Acosta to WMATA Board (Jan 24, 2010)
Live chat with Mort Downey, tomorrow at noon (Mar 16, 2010)
Live chat with Marcel Acosta, Tuesday at noon (Feb 18, 2010)
Delicious Metro II (Jun 12, 2010)

Impervious Area Charge is an integral part of sewer service

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 13:46:00 EDT

by Eric Fidler

The Obama administration's decision to to pay an impervious area fee added to all water bills in DC, reversing its earlier position, is a welcome step toward cleaner water.

DC's combined sewer area. Image from DC Water.

DC Water levies the impervious area charge on customers based on the estimated level of stormwater their properties dump onto the streets and thus into the sewers. This is necessary to pay for replacing DC's antiquated Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) system.

Until 1900, the District installed under every street one pipe to handle both sewage and storm water. Whatever you emptied into your kitchen sink emptied into the same pipe carrying whatever washed along your street's curbs.

The problem is that our sewer system, much like those in other old American cities, simply cannot handle the sheer volume of water that flows through the sewers during heavy rains. As a result, the sewers overflow into Rock Creek, the Potomac, and the Anacostia at 53 outfall points during these storms. As you can imagine, this discharge is neither safe nor pretty.

Rather than dig up every 18th- and 19th-century neighborhood street, DC Water is building several huge containment tunnels to temporarily store sewage-storm "brews" until the treatment plant at Blue Plains can process it all after the storm.

DC Water's CSO plan.

Underground storage tunnels will cost $2.2 billion. To recoup this cost, DC Water started levying a fee on all impervious surfaces on customers' properties, regardless of whether the property is located in a combined sewer area.

Impervious surfaces, such as a house's footprint or a driveway, prevent the ground from absorbing rainwater and slowly releasing it through local springs. Instead, water runs off our roofs, into gutters, down the downspouts, onto a sidewalk or driveway, into the street and then into the sewer. Consequently, storm drains on the street aren't just handling street water, they're also handling the water our homes, offices, parking lots, and driveways dump on the streets.

DC Water is working with the DC Department of the Environment to discount the fee for properties that mitigate their runoff. Until then, we're all paying for our runoff and the tunnels that must contain it.

But is it a fee based on usage, like your water bill, or is it a tax, like a property tax? As you learned in your civics class, no state, and certainly not the District, may tax the Federal Government. The Feds will pay for services provided, such as water and electricity, but they will not pay property and other taxes.

Since this fee is structured to approximate your burden on the sewer system, it shouldn't count as a tax. The Obama administration at first disagreed, arguing it was a tax and that the federal government should not pay.

Most ironically, DC Water's tunnels are being built to comply with the federally-mandated Clean Water Act. In essence, the federal government contributes to the problem, mandates a solution, but refuses to pay for it. This is worse than an unfunded mandate because federal government properties are partly responsible for the problem in the first place.

Without the federal government paying its share, which accounts for 20% of impervious area in DC, water bills for DC residents would soar to compensate for the Feds' "principled" delinquency. One can imagine residents demanding DC Water shut off the water to all government properties; it's hard to stand on principle if it means sitting in a porta-potty.

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) are more diplomatic. They are sponsoring legislation to require the Federal Government to pay.

Fortunately, after a second look, and probably after some hard lobbying, the Government Accountability Office reversed its earlier decision. In a recent letter DC Water provided us, GAO states, "We have concluded that the [Impervious Surface Area] charge is a component of the utility rate customers pay for water and sewer services." That is, the impervious area charge is an integral part of financing a sewer system, that by law must comply with national water quality standards.

26 comments

DC Council is baaaack! (Sep 16, 2008)
Navy Yard sidewalks get sustainable stormwater systems (Sep 1, 2010)
Stormwater management should work with, not against, Smart Growth (Jul 8, 2009)
That nice map... never mind (Jun 24, 2010)
What's a tax, what's a fee, and what's just a shell game (Apr 28, 2009)