Section 10-A1306. IN-2.1 WASTEWATER SYSTEM

 

1306.1The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority is responsible for wastewater collection and transmission in the District, including operation and maintenance of the sanitary sewer system. The conveyance infrastructure consists of 1,800 miles of sanitary sewers and combined sanitary and stormwater sewers, 22 flow metering stations, and nine wastewater pumping stations. WASA is also responsible for 125,000 sewer laterals from its mains to the property boundaries of residential, government, and commercial properties. In addition, WASA is responsible for the 50-mile-long Potomac Interceptor System, which provides conveyance of wastewater from areas in Virginia and Maryland to the Blue Plains Treatment Plant. 1306.1

 

1306.2The existing sanitary sewer system dates back to 1810, and includes a variety of materials such as brick and concrete, vitrified clay and concrete, reinforced concrete, ductile iron, plastic, steel, brick, cast iron, cast in place concrete, and even fiberglass. Current sewer construction materials typically consist of PVC, ductile iron, and concrete. Force mains are generally constructed of iron, steel, or concrete. 1306.2

 

1306.3WASA operates the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant, located on the Potomac River in Far Southwest. The Plant provides wastewater treatment services to over two million customers, including residents of the District of Columbia and over 1.6 million residents in portions of Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties in Maryland and Fairfax and Loudoun Counties in Virginia. Treatment includes liquid process facilities for both sanitary sewer and peak storm flows, along with solids processing facilities. 1306.3

 

1306.4Blue Plains is rated for an average flow of 370 million gallons per day (MGD). It is required by its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit to completely treat a peak flow rate of 740 MGD for up to four hours, and provide continuous treatment flows of up to 511 MGD thereafter. Additionally, up to 336 MGD storm water flow must receive partial treatment, resulting in a total plant capacity of 1,076 MGD. 1306.4

 

1306.5The 10-year WASA Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget (FY 2004— 2013) totals $2.1 billion and is funded by user fees and outside sources such as the USEPA and WASA’s regional partners in Maryland and Virginia. Their CIP identifies a range of sewer replacement projects and system upgrades. WASA’s CIP program also includes several steps to mitigate odors at the Blue Plains Water Treatment Facility. The $257 million Egg-Shaped, Anaerobic Digestion Facilities will replace the existing digesters, resulting in a less odorous, more consistent end product. The $79.4 million Dewatering Facilities Plan is designed to minimize odors that occur from biosolids being stored for extended periods. The $19.8 million Gravity Thickening Facility Upgrade includes funds for the addition of chemicals to the influent flow for odor control.

 

1306.6The projected growth in population and jobs in the District of Columbia could add an estimated 20 MGD of total water demand, which would result in a commensurate increase in wastewater of 17 to 20 MGD. Approximately two-thirds of this growth is expected to occur within the combined sewer area. While the wastewater transmission system has adequate capacity for this volume, land use changes will require localized additions and pipeline increases. In the combined sewer area, increases should be factored into the planned upgrades under the Combined Sewer System Long Term Control Plan. 1306.6

 

1306.7Policy IN-2.1.1: Improving Wastewater Collection

 

Provide for the safe and efficient collection of wastewater generated by the households and businesses of the District. Ensure that new development does not exacerbate wastewater system deficiencies, and instead supports improved system efficiency and reliability. 1306.7

 

1306.8Policy IN-2.1.2: Investing In Our Wastewater Treatment Facilities

 

Provide sustained capital investment in the District’s wastewater treatment system to reduce overflows of untreated sewage and improve the quality of effluent discharged to surface waters. Ensure that the Blue Plains treatment plant is maintained and upgraded as needed to meet capacity needs and to incorporate technological advances in wastewater treatment. 1306.8

 

1306.9Policy IN-2.1.3: Sludge Disposal

 

Promote the development of cost-effective and environmentally sound techniques to dispose of sewage sludge, including measures to extract energy from sludge where feasible. 1306.9

 

1306.10Action IN-2.1.A: Wastewater Treatment Capital Improvements

 

Continue to implement wastewater treatment improvements as identified in the WASA CIP. These projects include the replacement of undersized, aging, or deteriorated sewers; the installation of sewers to serve areas of new development or changed development patterns; and pumping station force main replacement and rehabilitation. Capital projects are required to rehabilitate, upgrade or provide new facilities at Blue Plains to ensure that it can reliably meet its NPDES permit requirements and produce a consistent, high- quality dewatered solids product for land application. 1306.10

 

1306.11Action IN-2.1.B: Unauthorized Storm Sewer Connections

 

Locate and map all stormwater and sanitary sewer lines outside of the combined sanitary and stormwater system area in order to identify sanitary lines that may be illegally discharging into the stormwater system. Take appropriate corrective measures, including penalties and termination of service, to abate such unauthorized connections. 1306.11

 

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.