Fire hydrants primary purpose is for firefighting. DC Water encourages those that need water sources for construction, demolition, dust control or similar purposes use temporary water service main connections or water trucks. If fire hydrant is the only option, DC Water will accept fire hydrant use permit applications and may approve connections to the fire hydrant. 

DC Plumbing Code, 12F DCMR §608.18  ̶  Fire hydrant use connections.  Connection to a fire hydrant for any use other than firefighting operations shall require pre-approval by DC Water, shall be metered and shall be protected against backflow in accordance with this section.  The connection shall include a reduced pressure principle backflow preventer conforming to ASSE 1013, suitable for high hazard applications, which shall carry a current inspection tag less than six months old.  The assembly shall be installed within 10 feet (3m) of the hydrant water meter and ahead of any water outlet. 

1. Obtain and certify reduced pressure backflow preventer ASSE 1013.
   • Certification must be made by approved inspector (click for list of approved inspectors).
   • Certification must be recorded on fire hydrant backflow preventer form. 

           Note: DC Water has a limited number of hydrant meter with integrated backflow preventers for rent. Please contact DC Water compliance program at (202) 364-3144 or FHUP@dcwater.com for more details.

1. Complete and submit fire hydrant permit application & fire hydrant backflow preventer form to FHUP@dcwater.com.
2. Wait for DC Water to send fire hydrant deposit and fee invoice to your email (see fee schedule below).
3. Pay invoice by check.
4. Wait for DC Water to send approved fire hydrant use permit.
5. Contact FHUP@dcwater.com or (202) 364-3144 to schedule pick-up, Monday through Friday 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

3900 Donaldson Place NW 
Washington, DC 20116

Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

note: Bryant Street will no longer issue equipment beginning October 1, 2019. 

Invoices will be issued up to five days after application and form are submitted.  
Once deposits and fees are paid, it will take up to two business days for permit approval.

Note: *Deposits will be refunded minus any damages to equipment and rental fees will be refunded if a balance remains.

DC Water Compliance Program: (202) 364-3144 (M-F, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM) or FHUP@dcwater.com.

Approved users of fire hydrants are responsible for the following:

1. Reconcile any damage to the fire hydrant outside of normal wear and usage.
2. Obtain a qualified individual to operate the hydrant.
3. Purchase, connection and disconnection of all hoses. 
4. Obtain a public space permit from the District Department of Transportation.
5. Obtain an approved backflow preventer (ASSE 1013 Reduced Pressure Backflow Preventer).
6. Ensure that the hydrant remains accessible for emergency service at all times.

All industrial and commercial businesses and government agencies discharging process wastewater from an industrial process (e.g., non-domestic wastewater containing pollutants or chemicals used in various business processes or activities other than janitorial) or contaminated groundwater requiring treatment to the District's wastewater system must report their activities to DC Water's Pretreatment Program Manager.

Wastewater discharge permits may be required prior to discharging into the sewer system

This applies to you if you are an industrial, commercial or federal entity and you would like to discharge or are currently discharging wastewater or contaminated non-wastewater flows containing pollutants or chemicals to the District's wastewater system.

Please allow 90 days for processing if you are applying for a new permit and 30 days if you are renewing an existing permit.

Initially, submit a short Wastewater Discharge Questionnaire. This form provides information regarding the business processes and related wastewater discharge. The DC Water Pretreatment Program Manager will review the survey form and notify the entity if a more detailed Wastewater Discharge Permit Application must be submitted.

The application package may be mailed or delivered to:

DC Water
Department of Wastewater Treatment
Pretreatment Program
5000 Overlook Ave., SW
Washington, D.C. 20032

Telephone: 202-787-4177

For expeditious processing, a copy of the application package may also be emailed to pretreatment@dcwater.com with a hard copy to follow in the mail.

New Permit: 90 days
Renewal of existing permit: 30 days

If approved, DC Water will issue one of the following types of permits:

Significant Categorical Industrial User Wastewater Discharge Permit

This type of permit is issued to Industrial Users that are subject to Categorical Pretreatment Standards, and at any time discharge more than 100 gallons per day (gpd) of total categorical wastewater excluding sanitary, non-contact cooling and boiler blowdown wastewater unless specifically included in the pretreatment standard.

Significant Non-Categorical Industrial User Wastewater Discharge Permit 

This type of permit is issued to significant industrial users that are not subject to Categorical Pretreatment Standards, and discharge an average of 25,000 gallons per day or more of process wastewater to the District's wastewater system (excluding sanitary, non-contact cooling and boiler blowdown wastewater), or, users who contribute more than five percent (5%) hydraulic or organic loading to the Blue Plains AWTP, or DC Water has determined that the Industrial User has a reasonable potential to adversely affect the operation of the Blue Plains AWTP, violate any pretreatment standard or requirement, harm the environment, or cause a threat to wastewater utility personnel. Users discharging 25,000 gpd or more of contaminated non-wastewater flow (e.g., stormwater, construction dewatering, groundwater sump discharges, etc.) for more than six months may be issued this type of permit.

Non-Significant Categorical Industrial User Wastewater Discharge Permit

This type of permit is issued to Industrial Users that are subject to Categorical Pretreatment Standards that never discharge more than 100 gpd of categorical wastewater (excluding sanitary, non-contact cooling and boiler blowdown wastewater, unless specifically included in the pretreatment standard), and meet the three (3) conditions provided in the definition for Non-Significant Categorical Industrial User in D.C . Official Code § 8-105.02(11)(B).

Non-Significant Non-Categorical Industrial User Wastewater Discharge Permit 

This type of permit is issued to minor industrial/commercial businesses and government agencies that have less than 25,000 gallons per day of process flow and are specifically designated by DC Water due to the type of business, characteristics of the discharge, or presence of pretreatment facilities. Businesses with contaminated non-wastewater flow may also be issued this type of permit if discharging less than 25,000 gpd.

These permits are valid for four years.

Industrial Permitting Fees & Industrial User Annual Compliance Fees Apply.

Industrial permitting and annual compliance fees became effective October 1, 2012, to cover pretreatment program operating costs including permit preparation, sampling, inspections, and report review. Please see the DC Water fee schedule page for additional information about these fees. An invoice will be issued upon receipt of the permit application.

Permitted facilities that are identified as significant industrial users are inspected and sampled on an annual basis, at a minimum, by DC Water, to help ensure compliance with local regulations. Those facilities that are designated as non-significant Industrial users may be inspected and sampled less frequently. Non-permitted facilities may also be inspected and sampled at any time by DC Water and must still conform to the wastewater discharge regulations.

Industrial Users may also be required to conduct self-monitoring. All compliance monitoring must be reported on DC Water's Periodic Compliance Report Form and be signed and certified by the Industrial User.

Pretreatment Program Manager
202-787-4177

1. District of Columbia Official Code Sections 8-105.01 to 8-105.15 (Search on: Wastewater Control; select "full text of source documents"; click on: Title 8; Subtitle A;)
2. Pretreatment regulations - District of Columbia Municipal Regulations Chapter 15 of Title 21 titled "Discharges to Wastewater System".
3. Link to NAICS for completing survey forms and wastewater discharge permit applications.
4. Information on federally mandated categorical industries and standards.

Whether you are constructing a new building, renovating an existing building, demolishing an existing building, or constructing an addition that includes new plumbing fixtures you will need approval from DC Water.

Generally, DC Water divides projects into two categories:

1. Large Water Service projects (applies if you meet any of the following)
   • Your new domestic and/or fire service size is 3" diameter or larger
   • You are constructing/renovating 10 or more residential units as a single project/permit application
2. Small Water Service projects (applies if you meet any of the following)
   • Your new domestic and/or fire service size is 2" diameter or smaller
   • You are constructing/renovating less than 10 residential units as a single project/permit application

If you project does not include a water connection and you are not sure if you need approval from DC Water call DC Water Permit Operations Department at 202-646-8610.

A good rule of thumb: If you are doing any work in public space that requires you or your contractor to excavate and connect to the public water or sewer system you will need approval from DC Water to perform that work.

Obtaining approval with DC Water is a three step process:

Step 1 Conceptual Plan Review (CPR) : A scheduled meeting between DC Water staff and the owner, architect, civil engineer, etc. to discuss the conceptual design with regard to utilities. This step is optional.

Step 2 Preliminary Plan Review (PPR) : A formal submission of the site plan for technical review. Required.

Step 3 Final Plan Review : After the Preliminary Plans are approved the plans are submitted to Documents and Permits to pay fees and receive the Water and Sewer Availability Certificate (WSAC). Required.

The applicant then continues through the DCRA process.

Please submit the following information to DC Water:

1. Three bond copies of site civil plans signed and sealed by a PE licensed in the District of Columbia
2. Minimum submission checklist executed by the submitting consultant
3. Log Slip identifying what is submitted, by whom, for what and where is the project
4. At Step 3. Provide a copy of pages 1 and 2 from the DCRA Building Permit Application are required

Failure to include the information listed in the checklist and the requirements above may result in the rejection of a submission for review.

The applicant submits plans for review by DC Water at:

DC Water 
Permit Operations - 3rd Floor 
1385 Canal Street SE, 
Washington, DC 20003

Three months minimum. The estimate of three months is assuming that the plans will go through at least two three submissions to the Permit Operations Department. The actual time for obtaining approved plans depends on the total number of submissions and the completeness of the plans that are submitted. DC Water staff will complete the review of each plan submission within 45 calendar days/30 business days per submission of the plan set.

Step 1 Conceptual Plan Review: You will receive important design information during your meeting.

Step 2 Preliminary Plan Review: You will receive stamped plans that indicate approved to submit to DPO.

Step 3: Final Plan Review: you will receive a Water and Sewer Availability Certificate.

Please see the DC Water fee schedule page for additional information about fees related to permitting.

Fire Hydrant Flow Test, Water and Sewer Availability Certificate.

DC Water Permit Operations Department at 202-646-8600.

Prior to releasing a street or sidewalk area for paving by a private citizen or company, District Department of Transportation (DDOT) distributes a "Paving Release" form to affected agencies and departments for sign-off to ensure that work is complete and that there is no damage to utilities in the area. DC Water reviews and signs-off on "Paving Releases" as applicable.

If your project requires roadway paving or sidewalk installation/replacement in public space, you must obtain approval from DDOT prior to commencing the paving activity.

The typical approval cycle for a Paving Release is 30 days so it is recommended that the request be made at least 30 days in advance.

This should not be done before the construction of utilities in public space has been completed.

See the DDOT website for submission requirements. The Paving Release request will be forwarded by DDOT to DC Water.

The typical approval cycle for a Paving Release is 30 days.

A Paving Release signed-off by the necessary government agencies and local authorities.

DC Water does not charge an application or review fee for Paving Releases.

Permit Operations Department at 202-646-8600.

When an applicant intends to raze a building, a Raze Permit must be obtained from DCRA. As part of the approval process for this permit, DC Water reviews the plans to determine whether there is water or sewer infrastructure that may be impacted by the raze. DC Water requires any water or sewer service laterals affected to be abandoned at the public main (not the property boundary).

If you wish to raze a structure that has water and sewer service laterals servicing your property you will need approval from DC Water identifying the disconnect of those services from the public mains to obtain your Raze Permit from DCRA.

It is advisable that the applicant commence the application process at least 90 days prior to the desired raze date. The applicant should consult DCRA for a more accurate time needed to process a Raze Permit.

1. A site plan signed and sealed by a professional engineer, architect, landscape architect and/or registered plumber in the District of Columbia showing the following minimum information:
   1. Entire property and building to be razed
   2. Existing water and sewer service laterals (pipes from the building to the public main in the street) and existing water and sewer mains in the public right-of-way
      1. DC Water staff can assist the applicant in researching the property and identify the location, size and material of the existing water service lateral
      2. Typically, DC Water staff will not have information (size, material, location) with regards to the existing storm and sanitary laterals. This will need to be determined by the applicant
   3. How and where the existing utilities will be abandoned
   4. DC Water general construction notes
2. A Utility Clearance letter as provided by DCRA
3. A zero balance receipt from DC Water showing no outstanding bills.
4. A check in the amount of the invoice provided to the applicant by DC Water staff once the review is completed. This invoice will include disconnect fees of the utilities from the public main.

Submitting your plans to:

DC Water Permit Operations Department
1100 4th St. SW Suite 310
Washington, DC 20024

DC Water schedules 14 days for the processing of a Raze Permit. In most cases permit applications only require one submission. However, if the minimum information is missing then the reviewer will provide comments to the applicant requesting the plans to be revised and resubmitted.

You will receive the following information:

1. A Certificate of Approval from DC Water for the Raze Permit Application
2. Plans stamped APPROVED
3. A sign off on the Raze Clearance Letter

Once you receive these approval documents from DC Water you must provide it to DCRA to get your final Raze Permit.

For additional information on fees charged by DC Water please see fee schedule.

Raze Permit review fee: $150

Abandonment fee of a large water service connection: $610 each

Abandonment fee of a small water service connection: $310 each

Abandonment fee for any size sewer lateral: $325 each

All outstanding water and sewer bills must be paid in full before DC Water will sign-off on the Raze Permit.

DC Water will accept checks (made payable to DC Water), credit cards (Visa,Mastercard, Discover) or money orders.

If a water service or sewer lateral is being abandoned at a main that is in public space, a Public Space Permit is required.

Permit Operations Department at 202-646-8600.

The owner is responsible for all work and costs associated with excavation and restoration of public space to perform a water/sewer abandonment. Once the owner has obtained a Public Space Permit he/she must then contact DC Water prior to performing the excavation to install/inspect the utility work. The owner shall be held responsible for all damages to existing structures and/for utilities caused by construction activity.

When a developer intends to excavate and install sheeting and shoring in preparation for a new structure, a Sheeting and Shoring Permit must be obtained from DCRA. As part of the approval process for this permit, DC Water reviews the plans to determine whether there is water or sewer infrastructure in the vicinity that may be impacted by the construction. If so, DC Water will require the applicant to place a deposit against damages and to CCTV inspect sewers within the zone of influence** before and after sheeting and shoring work.

If you are installing sheeting and shoring as part of your excavation work and you are within the zone of influence** of existing water and sewer infrastructure you will be required to apply for approval from DC Water prior to commencing construction.
**The zone of influence is defined as the wedge of soil inscribed by a line drawn tangent to and projecting upward from the outermost projection of the bottom of excavation at an angle of 45 degrees with the horizontal.

Apply at least four weeks before the sheeting and shoring permit is required. Time is needed for review of the plans, preparation of the fee estimate, obtaining the money for the deposit and scheduling the inspection of the existing sewers.

1. Copy of the Sheeting and Shoring Permit Application from DCRA
2. Sheeting and Shoring Plans showing the following:
   • Extent and depth of the excavation
   • Depth of piles and the extent of tiebacks
   • Water and sewer mains in the vicinity of the excavation
   • Location of existing and proposed service laterals from the building to the public main

DC Water Permit Operations Department
Attn: Sheeting and Shoring Permit
1100 4th St. SW Suite 310
Washington, DC 20032

DC Water's review timeframe for this is approximately two weeks. However, it is recommended to apply four weeks before the permit is needed to allow for processing of payments.

You will receive a Water and Sewer Availability Certificate indicating the approval of a Sheeting and Shoring plan.

See the DC Water fee schedule for the cost of the review fee. 
See the Sheeting and Shoring Fee Estimate Worksheet for determining deposit fees.

DC Water will accept payment of checks or money order made payable to DC Water.

Credit Cards are also accepted at the 1100 4th St. SW office

The applicant is responsible for contacting DC Water's Construction Inspection Section to arrange a pre-construction walk-thru to inspect water and sewer infrastructure within the zone of influence. The applicant must document this walk-thru with a report, video and/or pictures. For small diameter sewer mains the applicant must provide a before and after CCTV of the public infrastructure within the zone of influence.

When all the work is completed and the DC Water inspector confirms that no utilities have been damaged as a result of the sheeting and shoring activity any remaining unexpended funds will be returned to the applicant. When a sewer or water main is damaged during the sheeting and shoring operation, the contractor is given the choice of performing the repair work themselves, or the work will be performed by DC Water and charged to the contractor.

Permit Operations Department at 202-646-8600.

If you are constructing a new building, adding an addition , renovating an existing building, or demolishing an existing building that has water and sewer connections to the public system you will need approval from DC Water in order to obtain your Building Permit.

Generally, DC Water divides projects into two categories:

1. Small Water Service projects
   • Your new domestic and/or fire service size is 2" diameter or smaller
   • You are constructing/renovating less than 10 residential units as a single project/permit application
2. Large Water Service projects
   • Your new domestic and/or fire service size is 3" diameter or larger
   • You are constructing/renovating 10 or more residential units as a single project/permit application

If your project does not include a water connection and you are not sure if you need approval from DC Water call DC Water Permit Operations Department at 202-646-8600.

DC Water must review and approve the plans:

• If you are constructing a new single family home, row house or commercial building
• If you are building an addition to an existing building
• If you are doing any renovations/alterations to the existing plumbing system
• If you are doing any work that requires you to increase the fixture count in the building

Apply at least two months before DC Water approval is needed. This is assuming that the plans will be reviewed, questions/comments will be generated, and the plans will be modified and resubmitted for approval. It is not uncommon for this cycle to repeat two or three times before the plans are sufficient for approval.

Please submit the following information to DC Water:

1. Three bond copies of site civil plans signed and sealed by a professional plumber, engineer or architect licensed in the District of Columbia
2. Log slip identifying what is submitted, by whom, for what and where is the project
3. A copy of pages 1 and 2 from the DCRA Building Permit Application

The applicant submits plans for review by DC Water at:

DC Water Permit Operations Department
1100 4th St. SW Suite 310
Washington, DC 20024

Each project is different. How long it will take to get approved plans depends on the number of submissions and the completeness of the plans that are submitted. DC Water review staff will complete each plan submission within 45 calendar days/30 business day per submission of the plan set.

A Water and Sewer Availability Certificate

See the fee schedule for the cost of this service Make check payable to DC Water Credit Cards are also accepted at the 1100 4th St. SW office

• A Water and Sewer Availability Certificate is required
• A public space permit (obtained by DDOT) is required for work in public space

Permit Operations Department at 202-646-8600.

DC Water allows residents, businesses, and government agencies to discharge stormwater, groundwater, and surface water runoff from construction/dewatering projects or other temporary water discharges (e.g., power wash runoff, hydro-demolition wastewater, etc.) to the District's wastewater system on a case-by-case basis.

However, uncontaminated non-wastewater flows (e.g., stormwater, groundwater, surface water runoff, etc.) may only be discharged to the combined sewer system, storm sewer, or to an outfall that discharges to a natural stream/river. It is illegal to discharge uncontaminated non-wastewater flows, including groundwater to the separate sanitary sewer system.

The District's local limit discharge standards apply to all temporary dischargers. DC Water currently has no numerical standards for volatile organics, however, specific prohibitions may apply that prohibit the discharge if it contains volatile organics in amounts that may create a fire or explosion either alone or by interaction with other substances or result in the presence of toxic, noxious, or malodorous liquids, solids, gases, vapors, or fumes within the District's wastewater system which alone or in interaction with other wastes, are capable of creating a public nuisance or hazard to humans or animals, are sufficient to cause acute worker health and safety problems, or are sufficient to cause interference or pass-through. In order to determine if volatile organics require pretreatment and to determine if a non-wastewater flow is considered contaminated, DC Water compares water quality data to published literature values in EPA's Guidance to Protect POTW Workers from Toxic and Reactive Gases and Vapors and EPA's Local Limits Development Guidance.

Uncontaminated means the discharge (prior to treatment) does not exceed the District's pretreatment standards: local limit discharge standards or prohibited discharge standards.

Applicants wanting to discharge non-wastewater flows (e.g., stormwater, groundwater or surface runoff) or other temporary discharges to the District's wastewater system must submit a Temporary Discharge Authorization (TDA) Permit Application to the Pretreatment Program Manager. If the volume of the discharge is greater than 25,000 gallons per day (gpd) and the duration of the discharge is greater than six months, the applicant may be requested to submit an Industrial User Wastewater Discharge Permit application.

If the groundwater is not contaminated and the discharge location is near a separate storm sewer system (i.e., not part of the combined sewer system), then the applicant may be required to contact the DC Department of Energy & Environment to direct the discharge to the storm sewer. To determine if the project is in a separate storm sewer area contact DC Water's Permit Operations at 202-646-8600.

If the groundwater is to be discharged to the combined sewer system, then DC Water will determine the conditions under which a TDA Permit will be issued and whether metering and fees are required.

Once you are aware that you have stormwater, groundwater, or surface water runoff, or other water that must be discharged on a temporary basis, you should commence the process to determine whether you need a permit.

• Temporary Discharge Authorization Permit Application (no application fee)
• Chemical analysis of the effluent (e.g., groundwater or other water, if available)
• Copy of any engineering plans/documents with information on dewatering requirements and site contamination (soil and groundwater) such as a dewatering plan, geotechnical report, and/or site assessment
• Site map of proposed discharge location

The application package shall be mailed or delivered to the

DC Water
Department of Wastewater Treatment
Pretreatment Program
5000 Overlook Ave., SW
Washington, D.C. 20032

Telephone: 202-787-4177

For expeditious processing, a copy of the application package may also be emailed to pretreatment@dcwater.com with a hard copy to follow in the mail.

Approximately 2 weeks

A Temporary Discharge Authorization (TDA) Permit is issued and the permit is valid for up to two years. A permit may be extended by written request if within the two year permit term. A new permit application must be submitted prior to the expiration date if the discharge has not been completed within the two year permit term.

There is no cost for the permit. However, if DC Water determines that the discharge must be metered, the permittee will be charged a fee for the metered discharge amount. Please see the DC Water Rates and Metering page for additional information.

If the site is in a separate storm sewer area and the discharge contains uncontaminated groundwater or surface water, the applicant must contact the DC Department of Environment Water Quality Division at 202-535-2600 to inquire about discharging to the storm sewer.

Once a permit is obtained, the permittee must submit signed and certified periodic self-monitoring reports to the Pretreatment Program Manager as required under site-specific conditions in the TDA permit. Unscheduled random inspections of project sites may also be conducted.

Section 1509 of the Pretreatment regulations - District of Columbia Municipal Regulations Chapter 15 of Title 21 titled "Discharges to Wastewater System".

DC Water allows temporary water connections for construction trailers and other temporary site facilities requiring plumbing services during building construction. This entails tapping the water main, setting a meter and starting a water service that will later by be removed by the applicant. At the end of construction this service will be abandoned at the public water main.

This applies to you if you have a construction project and desire temporary plumbing services during the construction phase to serve jobsite trailer(s) and other jobsite facilities.

It is advisable to apply at least two months before the service is needed. Based on the level of complexity and the thoroughness of the documentation provided, the review and approval process may take several days. Furthermore, it typically takes a couple of days to schedule and execute the connection to the water main.

1. A log slip that includes applicant and project information.
2. Site plan showing the proposed project and adjacent properties/roadways, location of existing public water/sewer mains and size, proposed water/sewer connection locations and size.
3. A completed meter sizing worksheet that estimates the proposed water usage
4. Backflow prevention form.

Requests are processed at DC Water's Permit Operations Department located at 1100 4th St. SW Suite 310 Washington, DC 20024

The application review and approval typically takes less than two months.

Scheduling and executing the tap insertion for tapping the water main takes a week or less.

For services 2" and smaller, the duration per submission is approximately 4 weeks

A Water and Sewer Availability Certificate that indicates approval of the temporary service connection.

See the fee schedule for costs. This work normally includes a fee for review, a fee to connect the new service and a fee for the abandonment of the service when the work is complete.

DC Water Permit Operations Department at 202-646-8600.

A temporary service connection requires a public space permit.

DC Water allows businesses and government agencies with a permit to discharge domestic (i.e., residential-type) septage, grease trap waste, uncontaminated non-wastewater flows, and other non-hazardous waste (allowed on a case-by-case basis) at the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant (AWTP). It is illegal to discharge hauled waste directly to the District's wastewater system anywhere else within the District of Columbia.

This applies to you if you are a waste hauler and you would like to discharge waste at DC Water's Blue Plains AWTP.

It takes approximately two weeks to validate and process the applications.

• Waste Hauler Discharge Permit Application;
• Haulers Wastewater Source Authorization - Hauled wastewater categorized as Low or Domestic Strength; or generated from Industrial or Commercial Facility activities (excluding grease trap or grease interceptor wastewater), requires written authorization from DC Water before discharging into the Blue Plains Septate Receiving Facility. 
• Analysis of the wastewater (for non-domestic waste), if requested; and
• List of non-domestic (i.e., commercial and industrial) sources and customers served, if required.
• Certificate of insurance

The application package shall be mailed or delivered to the Pretreatment Program Manager at:

DC Water
Department of Wastewater Treatment
Pretreatment Program
5000 Overlook Ave., SW
Washington, D.C. 20032
Telephone: 202-787-4177

For expeditious processing, a copy of your application package may also be emailed to pretreatment@dcwater.com (with hard copy to follow in the mail).

Two weeks.

Waste Hauler Discharge Permit (note that each vehicle must be permitted prior to entering the Blue Plains AWTP)

Annual permit fee per vehicle and monthly fee for volume based disposal charges.

Please see the DC Water fee schedule page for additional information about fees related to permitting. An invoice will be issued upon receipt of the permit application.

Pretreatment Program Manager
202-787-4177

Once a permit is obtained, waste haulers may discharge domestic septage, portable toilet waste, grease trap waste, uncontaminated non-wastewater flows, and other approved non-hazardous waste generated in the District of Columbia, Prince Georges County, Montgomery County, Fairfax County, Arlington County and Loudoun County at the Septage Receiving Facility at Blue Plains. Each vehicle must be permitted prior to entering the Blue Plains AWTP and the driver must have a copy of the permit available and submit a completed Hauled Waste Manifest Form to security to gain access to the plant. Our normal hours of operation are 8:00 am -  12:00 am Monday through Sunday (including holidays), unless written approval is obtained from the Pretreatment Program staff for authorization to discharge outside of these hours. Hours may be modified/restricted during the winter months. Random samples of hauled waste loads are collected and analyzed by DC Water. The permit is valid for one year.

Section 1510 of the Pretreatment regulations - District of Columbia Municipal Regulations Chapter 15 of Title 21 titled "Discharges to Wastewater System".

DC Water does not issue building permits. Building permits are processed and issued by DCRA. However, in order to obtain a building permit when a connection to the public water and/or sewer mains is required, the applicant must obtain a Water and Sewer Availability Certificate (WSAC) from DC Water. The WSAC is the final approval document that the applicant will receive from DC Water. It signifies that the plans are in accordance with DC Water's design requirements and guidelines and all fees have been paid.

A WSAC is completed for all projects that entail a connection to the water and/or sewer system, a temporary water connection, the raze of an existing building, a foundation to grade permit, or a sheeting and shoring permit.

1. First, the applicant must first obtain approval from DDOE for Erosion & Sediment Control and/or Stormwater Management.
2. Second, the applicant must provide DC Water with a copy or scan of the approved sheets from DDOE.
3. Third, the applicant must apply for a building permit application from DCRA.
4. Forth, the plans must obtain preliminary approval from DC Water staff for general conformance with DC Water design standards.
5. Fifth, the applicant will be provided a estimate for inspection fees and deposits by the DC Water reviewer to be paid prior to release of the plans
6. Once the above steps are complete the applicant will receive stamped plans, receipt for paid fees and the Water and Sewer Availability Certificate (WSAC).

1. One copy of pages 1 and 2 from the DCRA Building Permit Application
2. Four full size bond copies of the approved Preliminary Plans stamped and signed by DC Water
3. One full size bond copy of the stamped approved ESC/SWM plans from the DDOE

DC Water's Permit Operations Department issues Water and Sewer Availability Certificates located at :

DC Water
1385 Canal Street SE - 3rd Floor,
Washington, DC 20003

This depends upon the completeness of the applicant and the time required to pay the fees. However, in general:

• For services 3" and larger: approximately 6 weeks
• For services 2" and smaller: approximately 4 weeks

You receive a 3" x 5" slip of paper titled Water and Sewer Availability Certificate identifying each water and sewer connection request. This certificate must be presented to DCRA prior to receiving a building permit.

Note: This approval expires six months after the issuance date if the applicant has not received a building permit by then.

• For new water service 3" in diameter and larger, a deposit is taken based on an estimate of inspection services required by DC Water for the project. As applicable, this includes:
  1. Inspection of new public water and/or sewer infrastructure
  2. Inspection of new water service connection to a public water main which includes water main shut-down
  3. Inspection of new sewer connection to a public sewer main (wye or manhole)
  4. At the concrete manufacturing plant, inspection of all precast concrete structures to be installed in public space
  5. DC Water to operate valves and perform system shutdowns as necessary to perform the work.

For services 2" in diameter and smaller, a fixed fee based on the service lateral pipe diameter size is charged for each connection to the water.

For sewer services 4" - 6" in diameter a fixed fee is charged for each connection to the sewer system.

Fee for furnishing and installing the water meter.

Abandonment charges: If applicable, fixed fees for inspection of water service or sewer lateral abandonments are charged.

See the DC Water Fee Schedule for more information.

DC Water Permit Operations Department at 202-646-8600

Some financers require that a Water and Sewer Availability Letter be provided prior to the financer approving a loan. This letter identifies whether there is water and sewer available to the project site and which lines are not available for connection. Per the District of Columbia Building Code utilities are considered available if a residential lot is within 100-feet; a commercial lot is within 250-feet measured along the centerline of a street or public way abutting the lot.

This letter only advises you that water and sewer mains are available to service this project. This is not an approval to connect to these facilities or a certification that there is adequate capacity in these mains to serve the proposed development. A Water and Sewer Availability Certificate will be issued after the approval of the project plans and the payment of all the appropriate fees.

Your financer will ask for this if it is required.

As directed by your financer.

1. A letter on company letterhead requesting the Water and Sewer Availability Letter. Please identify whom to address the availability letter.
2. Project information including the following:
   • Plan sheet showing the project location and service locations if know. Google Maps is often a good source for this map.
   • Intended use (commercial, multifamily, industrial, etc.)
   • Square/lot/address
   • Approximate building square footage
   • Number of stories

Please send your letter request to: 
DC Water 
Permit Operations - 3rd Floor 
Attention: Water & Sewer Availability Letter Request 
1385 Canal Street SE, 
Washington, DC 20003

Approximately two weeks.

Water and Sewer Availability Letter on DC Water letterhead.

See the fee schedule for the cost of this service
Make check payable to DC Water
Credit Cards are also accepted at the 1100 4th St. SW office

DC Water Permit Operations Department at 202-646-8600

DC Water will not allow any connections to 16-inch and larger water mains unless it the only main available and that main is providing service connections to other buildings. Adding an additional valve on that large water main may be required in order to shut down the main for installation and/or maintenance.

DC Water will not allow connections to water or sewer mains in alleys unless the property does not have direct access to a public roadway containing public water and/or sewer mains.