Reducing the amount of floatable debris in the District improves the water quality and aesthetic value of local watersheds for District citizens. Skimmer boats remove hundreds of tons of floatable debris from the Potomac and Anacostia rivers annually.

 

Identification of the District's MS4 outfalls is a critical step in the program to manage and reduce pollutants in storm water. In 2006, the District completed the verification process of the outfalls located in the MS4 area, which were located in the Anacostia River, Potomac River, and Rock Creek watersheds.

 

Illicit discharges are illegal connections to the District's storm sewer pipes. These discharges may contain unknown pollutants, and if not disconnected can enter the District's watersheds. WASA and DDOE maintain an illicit discharge detection program, issue notices of violation as needed, and monitor corrective actions taken by illicit discharge violators. Illicit discharges are disconnected from storm sewers once identified. Illicit connection detection and enforcement procedures have been developed in conjunction with the dry weather screening, inspection of BMPs, and public education programs.

 

This program was established to maintain pipes and conduits that carry stormwater flow to the District's watersheds. There are approximately 12,100 catch basins in the District's MS4 system that are designed to collect large debris and trash from streets and parking lots that might otherwise enter streams and rivers by way of the MS4 pipe system. Catch basin cleaning and sweeping are coordinated to the extent practicable to minimize floatable discharges into the District's water bodies.

 

This program inspects stormwater control devices and stormwater pumping stations in the District. As part of the program, blockages, defects, and clearing of lateral channels and outlet structures are included to reduce flooding potential of commercial and residential areas during storm events.

 

DC WASA maintains an Environment and Education section of its website. This provides the public with an overview of the environmental concerns associated with the District's Separate and Combined Sewer Systems, and WASA's activities to address these impacts. Information on other environmental topics, such as water conservation and biosolids management, is also provided. The website also includes an activities page for school children. Through educational games, this page provides important information to District children on how to protect their environment and improve water quality in the District.