Section 10-A1305. IN-2 WASTEWATER AND STORMWATER SYSTEMS

 

1305.1This section of the Element addresses wastewater and stormwater needs as well as WASA’s efforts to improve its system to meet current and future needs. Although wastewater and stormwater disposal needs are very different, they are addressed together in this section because of the physical links that currently exist between the two systems. 1305.1

 

1305.2Like many older American cities, a significant portion of the District of Columbia is served by a combined sewer system. Such systems, which use the same pipes to convey stormwater and wastewater, were common in the 19th Century and are considered a relic of the past due to their damaging environmental effects. In wet weather, or about once every 10 days on average, the capacity of the District’s conveyance system is exceeded. Excess raw sewage and rain water flows into the District’s waterways via more than 60 permitted outfalls along rivers and streams. This discharge is called Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO). Plans to reduce CSO while meeting the city’s future drainage and wastewater needs are discussed below. 1305.2

 

notation

The provisions of Title 10, Part A of the DCMR accessible through this web interface are codification of the District Elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital. As such, they do not represent the organic provisions adopted by the Council of the District of Columbia. The official version of the District Elements only appears as a hard copy volume of Title 10, Part A published pursuant to section 9a of the District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1994, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; D.C. Official Code § 1 -301.66)) . In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions accessible through this site and the provisions contained in the published version of Title 10, Part A, the provisions contained in the published version govern. A copy of the published District Elements is available www.planning.dc.gov.