DC Water Delivers a Cleaner Anacostia River by Opening First Leg of Massive Tunnel System

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DC Water Delivers a Cleaner Anacostia River by Opening First Leg of Massive Tunnel System

The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water) commissioned its 7-mile-long tunnel segment that will substantially reduce combined sewer overflows to the Anacostia River, dramatically improving the river’s health.

The tunnel system will capture and hold up to 100 million gallons of combined sewage in heavy rainfalls and deliver it to the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant for treatment. Today’s commissioning is ahead of the deadline outlined in a 2005 consent decree with the US Environmental Protection Agency, US Department of Justice and the District of Columbia

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DC Water Board Chairman and Director of the Department of Energy and Environment Tommy Wells said, “It has been my job, as well as my passion, to improve and protect the Anacostia River. I crafted The Anacostia River Clean Up and Protection Act of 2009 to do just that.

While at DOEE and as DC Water Board Chair, I have had the pleasure to watch the progress of the DC Clean Rivers Project. This project brings immense improvements to the District in terms of healthier waterways which will lead to a more vibrant waterfront and opportunities for recreation on the Anacostia.” 

DC Water Interim CEO and General Manager Henderson J. Brown, IV added, “I want to thank everyone who has contributed to this milestone, from our engineers to our elected officials to our ratepayers. The significant protective measures we put in place today, and those still to come, would not be possible without the commitment of this entire community.”  

The celebration also included remarks by Dave Ross, Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. National Park Service Superintendent Tara Morrison, Director of the Clean Rivers Program Carlton Ray and Former Executive Director of Groundwork Anacostia River DC, Dennis Chestnut.

Hundreds flocked to the event that included bluegrass music, marching bands, festivities and a model tunnel boring machine that demonstrates how the tunnel segments are mined.

To illustrate the grand size of the Anacostia River Tunnel System, three bulk head gates were displayed on the ground and a fourth gate was removed by a large-scale crane. Removing these gates opens the tunnel, to prevent 80 percent of sewage overflows to the Anacostia River.

For more information on the Clean Rivers Project, please visit dcwater.com/cleanrivers
For more information on today’s event, please visit dcwater.com/ART

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