This week, DC Water began work to replace old water mains in the Bloomingdale neighborhood in Northwest, DC. Some of the water mains in the neighborhood were installed in the late 1800s and are past their useful life. In fact, there have been about 25 water main breaks in the area since 2000, most of them occurring in just two blocks.
 
DC Water will replace close to a mile of 8-inch and 12-inch water mains. In addition to improving system reliability, the replacement program will also provide increased water pressure and unimpeded water flows. Within the same program, the Authority will also replace fire hydrants, valves and service lines located in public property. DC Water will replace any lead service lines in public space and will also offer to replace the private side (on homeowners’ private property) at the same time—at the homeowners’ expense, a cost-effective measure since the contractors will already be excavating in the neighborhood.
 
DC Water CEO and General Manager George S. Hawkins commented, “This program follows another DC Water project in Bloomingdale to bring even more improvements to the neighborhood. The first project created the First Street Tunnel to mitigate flooding and sewage back-ups during rainstorms in Bloomingdale and LeDroit Park, neighborhoods that are more than 100 years old – like much of the underground infrastructure that serves them.”
 
The project is scheduled for completion in late February 2017 with restoration of the area slated for spring 2017. Typical work hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, though there may be some night or weekend work. Residents will be notified in advance for work outside the stated schedule.
 
Residents can also expect water shut-offs while pipes are replaced (four to eight hours maximum), additional truck traffic, construction noise and parking restrictions. DC Water has made accommodations for additional parking areas. Any obstructions remaining from the First Street Tunnel Project will be removed.