D.C Water’s federally-mandated Clean Rivers Project has implemented several green infrastructure practices on a large scale, as part of its recent water infrastructure overhaul to reduce CSOs. The constructed GI has showed significant success: officials now plan to continue implementing GI projects throughout the decade.
D.C. Water has finished constructing 6 GI projects and plans to construct an additional 3 projects. After the proven practicality of constructed GI in reducing D.C.'s CSOs, the Clean River Project's mandated infrastructure overhaul will continue investing in significant GI implementation in addition to traditional gray infrastructure.
A brief overview of D.C.'s past and future green infrastructure projects is offered below. For more on D.C.'s gray infrastructure overhaul, see "D.C.'s $2.7 billion CSS overhaul shows promise for local rivers".
The Irving Street Green Infrastructure Project installed bioretention at 14 sites in medians and roadsigns along Irving street in April 2014. Bioretention consisted of planted filter beds of native vegetation and a specialized soil and stone aggregate.
D.C. Water launched its Green Infrastructure Design Challenge in April 2013, prompting firms to submit designs utilizing GI practices. In March 2015, D.C. Water awarded the Kansas Avenue Green Infrastructure Parks Project to CH2M’s design and the Kennedy Street Green Infrastructure Streetscape Project to Nitsch Engineering’s design.
Both projects were completed by Fall 2018. The Kansas Avenue Parks Project constructed two GI parks near Kansas Avenue, which included a bioretention area, nature boulders for creative play, painted paths and stepping stones, pedestrian bridges and new trees. The Kennedy Street Streetscape Project constructed a variety of GI practices near Kennedy Street, including rain gardens, permeable parking lanes, permeable sidewalks, landscape infiltration gaps, new street trees and educational art.
D.C. Water’s Green Alley Partnership partnered with the District Department of Transportation to construct seven permeable alleys, in the Potomac River and Rock Creek sewersheds, in 2018.
The Potomac River Green Infrastructure Project A, completed in March 2019, included bioretention in planter strips and permeable pavement on streets and alleys near the Glover Park and Burleith neighborhoods.
The Rock Creek Green Infrastructure Project, the Clean Rivers Project’s largest implementation of GI, has been split into four parts: the finished Project A, the approved Project B, and the anticipated Projects 3 and 4.
Project A constructed bioretention in planter strips and curb extensions, permeable pavement on numerous streets and alleys, and included the earlier Kansas Avenue and Kennedy Street projects. Project A’s construction was completed in October 2018.
Project B will construct 48 permeable alleys and 28 planter bioretentions, at an estimated cost of $15-22 million. The Project also seeks to offer free downspout disconnection and a free rain barrel for eligible participants. Construction is estimated to begin in early 2022, and be completed by January 2024.
D.C. Water’s other two planned Rock Creek Infrastructure Projects are anticipated to both be larger than projects A or B. Operation deadlines for the two projects are set to 2027 and 2029.
