WASA RECEIVES "PEAK PERFORMANCE AWARD"

August 02, 2004

The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (WASA) has been awarded the Peak Performance Gold Award from the Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies (AMSA) for the Authority’s achievements in 2003.

The Gold Award is presented to member agency facilities that achieve 100% compliance with their National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for the entire year.

"We are extremely pleased and honored to receive the Peak Performance Gold Award from the Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies," said Jerry N. Johnson. General Manager, WASA. "The Blue Plains Wastewater Treatment facility continuously is recognized for excellence in wastewater treatment, and this award is testament that WASA is protecting the environment and serving the public."

Ken Kirk, Executive Director, AMSA said, "The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority is an outstanding example of environmental efforts. AMSA is honored to showcase the achievements of WASA and our nation’s public wastewater utilities through the Peak Performance Awards Program."

The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (WASA) is a multi-jurisdictional regional utility that provides drinking water, wastewater collection and treatment to more than 500,000 residential, commercial and governmental customers in the District of Columbia, and also collects and treats wastewater for 1.6 million customers in Montgomery and Prince George's counties in Maryland and Fairfax and Loudoun counties in Virginia.

Latest News

Image of overflow from the collapse site being captured by the trench system and returned to the Potomac Interceptor

Pumping capacity remains a challenge, due to ongoing maintenance and operational issues. An overflow occurred late Monday night, when two pumps – clogged with non-disposable wipes – were taken out of service for cleaning and maintenance. During a period of high flow, the volume of wastewater temporarily exceeded pumping capacity resulting in the overflow.

The overflow did not enter the Potomac River and was contained on-site by an earthen dam and a trench system that captured and redirected the wastewater back into the sewer system.

Image of pump with a large pile of wipes next to it that clogged the pump and had to be removed

DC Water and its contractors continue working around the clock, to operate, clean and maintain bypass pumps that divert wastewater around the damaged section of the Potomac Interceptor and return flows into the system further downstream. Despite these efforts, a significant overflow occurred late Sunday.

Placeholder DC Water Image

DC Water is taking emergency measures with the immediate and ongoing closure of all northbound lanes of 14th Street between L Street NW and Thomas Circle, due to the imminent risk of collapse posed by an abandoned, century-old, brick-lined sewer tunnel beneath the roadway.

Upcoming Meeting

Board of Directors Meeting

April 24, 2023

Monday 9:00 AM

Announcement

Picture of new bike pedestrian path and traffic detour
New Path for Capital Crescent Trail Opens at Georgetown Waterfront Park

DC CLEAN RIVERS – POTOMAC RIVER TUNNEL PROJECT
If you bike, drive, or walk through Georgetown, we’ve got changes starting this week around the Potomac River Tunnel construction on Water Street NW. The Capital Crescent Trail has a new temporary detour through Georgetown Waterfront Park, open now for cyclists between 33rd and Potomac streets NW.

Latest Blog Post
A helicopter lowers a drill rig to workers on the Potomac River.
DC Water begins drilling in Potomac River to explore options to rehab underwater sewer line
When one of your major sewer lines runs through the Potomac River, a backhoe and trencher won't do. That's why we've got helicopters carrying a 14-ton drill and workers suspended midair over the Potomac.
Upcoming Meeting
Date
February 19, 2026
Thursday, 9:30 AM

Upcoming Events

Customer Service Center Announcement

Payment Plan Incentive: provides a credit back of 40% of the last 3 payments made and in the new fiscal year 50% will be credited. Eligible participants are residential customers who have had an outstanding balance for 60 days or greater and with an outstanding balance of $500 or more.