The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (WASA) has begun several major projects that will reduce - by 40 percent - the annual volume of combined sewer overflows into the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers and Rock Creek. This is the first significant step, costing approximately $140 million, in making considerable CSO reductions to our city’s receiving waters. Planning for many of these projects began several years ago and now the various projects are proceeding to construction (see attached descriptions).

In an unprecedented move, several environmental organizations have formally accepted and signed on in agreement to make these improvements. In 2000, while a number of the projects were in the planning phase, a lawsuit was filed against WASA by some environmental groups alleging violations of the Clean Water Act (CWA) due primarily to CSO discharges. Since that time, WASA and environmental groups have been closely working together to reach an agreement on a course of action, which has been accomplished.

WASA Board Chairman, Glenn S. Gerstell, said this is undeniably a milestone achievement for District residents. 'We are taking plans off the drawing board and putting them into action. The Board has worked with WASA management and environmental groups to ensure our vision of being stewards of the environment is being realized, and more than just a slogan.' Gerstell added that, 'This $140 million investment is just the beginning of the long-term plan, but a significant beginning that will have the real result of making our waterways cleaner. It also supports Mayor Williams’ vision of the Anacostia River being a major recreational attraction in our city.'

Robert Boone, President of the Anacostia Watershed Society, which is a plaintiff in the suit said, 'This is a monumental step for the quality of life in Washington, DC. It was a long process but we all prevailed in the end and now have a real timeframe to get these improvements accomplished.' Boone added, 'We thank our environmental partners in this effort and WASA, too, for working to successfully reach this agreement.'

Major improvements are being made to various pumping stations; the catch basin cleaning program; inflatable dams; tide gates and at the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant. Attached is a detailed description of these projects.

Funding for these projects, $90 million, is through WASA's capital improvement program (CIP) and a $50 million appropriation by the DC Appropriations Subcommittees in the US Congress. Mayor Williams continues to be the chief advocate for federal participation in the plan for addressing combined sewer overflows in the District of Columbia. Last year he successfully spearheaded an effort, supported by Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Councilmember Carol Schwartz, environmental advocates and others to obtain the unprecedented $50 million appropriation.