DDOT Stormwater Activities

Functional Landscaping:
This program combines both aesthetic value (e.g. ornamental plants and flowers) and functional value (e.g. plant types and landscape design) of trees, shrubs, and flowers in the development of landscaping within the District property. This type of landscaping not only looks beautiful, but also provides mitigation for some storm water pollutants and retention of flood waters. Landscaping materials are designed to be tolerant of drought conditions and urban pollutants. With the assistance of Howard University, DDOT has completed a report that provides a set of recommendations on the use of Best Management Practices in road construction and reconstruction projects.

Low Impact Development (LID):
LIDs are structures such as porous pavement, bioretention ponds, and urban tree boxes that are an alternative, comprehensive approach to developing land and managing stormwater runoff in urban landscapes. The District has a pilot project with several LIDs, and part of the program is to monitor water quality during storm events to provide data on the effectiveness of each of the LIDs installed on the property. DDOT is actively involved in the installation, maintenance, and monitoring of many of the LIDs located in the District.

Public Roads and Traffic Pollution:
While DPW maintains District roadways, DDOT sweeps and vacuums federal roadways to reduce the amounts of trash solids, fallen leaves, and dirt particles that collect on the streets. This program also requires the inspection and maintenance of catch basins, gutters, sidewalks, medians, grass, trees located within federal property. These activities remove tons of litter from federal roadways that may otherwise have entered into the District's water bodies. DDOT has placed focus on the development of new storm water pollution control design standards for roadway construction, which help to reduce urban pollutant runoff during storm events.

Management Plan for Commercial, Residential, and Government Areas:
Alternative transportation in the District is a viable way of getting from place to place without the use of traditional motor vehicles. DDOT continues to expand its Bicycle and Pedestrian transportation programs with major trails in the District including Metropolitan Branch Trail along the east led of the Red Line of the metro system and the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail along the Anacostia River from the Potomac River to the Maryland border. DDOT continued its efforts in the installation of bicycle-friendly sewer grates and bicycle safety education and enforcement activities and began installation of bioretention cells and bioswales. These devices are structural Best Management Practices that slow down and retain some pollutants that are often associated with stormwater runoff.

Snow and Deicer Program:
DDOT conducted a study on various deicing products to determine viable alternatives to sodium chloride salt. Results indicate that the use of Iceban® would reduce pollutants entering the District's waterways that are often associated with traditional deicing products. Storage facilities for deicer materials implement stormwater management practices that are designed to minimize pollutant runoff during storm events.