Overview

As part of its ongoing program to inspect, evaluate, and rehabilitate sewers across the city, DC Water identified a 4-inch communications line intersecting a 48-inch segment of the Upper Potomac Interceptor (UPI) near 30th & K Street NW, preventing proper maintenance of this critical infrastructure. Removal of this obstruction is urgent and necessary to ensure continued system upkeep and to support future rehabilitation projects in the area. This effort will improve sewer functionality and structural integrity, reduce the risk of storm, sanitary, and combined sewer overflows, maintain adequate hydraulic capacity, and enable continued infrastructural development. The UPI, a 48-inch segment of the Potomac Interceptor, runs from the Maryland/DC border and conveys flow though the district to the Blue Plains treatment facility. The obstructing communications line was first identified during inspections conducted between 2011 and 2016.

Proposed Scope of Work 

• Remove debris that has accumulated around the conduit within the 48-inch sewer.
• Cut and remove the 4-inch conduit within the sewer.
• Fill the voids in the soil, from removing the 4-inch conduit, with hand pumped 4000 psi grout.
• Repair the remaining 4-inch cavities in the sewer with quickset or hydraulic cement mortar patches.

Schedule

• Project Design: Ongoing

• Estimated Construction Start: Summer 2026

• Estimated Construction Duration: 3 Months

• Normal Work Hours: 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday

Important Information

• Some sewage odor may be temporarily noticed during construction operations. The noise level of equipment may be monitored during the construction operations.
• There may be temporary interruptions to communication services as a result of removing the intruding line.

Traffic Plans 

• Traffic control, including flaggers, signage and protective barriers will be set up to maintain public safety during construction in accordance with the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Permit and Standards. 
• Temporary lane closures will occur, and street parking or sidewalk access may be impacted during construction activities.

Partners 

DC Water has been persistent in its outreach relating to this urgent project. DC Water will continue efforts to work closely with DDOT and a host of other District and Federal agencies to ensure disruption during this project is as minimal as possible. Regular updates will also be provided to area residents, local Business Improvement Districts, relevant Advisory Neighborhood Commissions 2E, Ward 2 representatives in the Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services and Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto, and other project stakeholders.