D.C. Clean Rivers Project: Adding Green Infrastructure

The D.C. Clean Rivers Project was initiated in 2003, with a plan to construct three tunnels that would help prevent water pollution in the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers, and Rock Creek by reducing sewer overflow caused by rainfall. Currently, 1.5 billion gallons of combined sewage overflows into the Anacostia River annually. The D.C. Clean Rivers Project is projected to curb that by 98% by 2022, if completed on schedule. D.C. Water has been exploring modifications to the original plan. They want to use green infrastructure, which utilizes construction above ground, such as rain gardens, green roofs, infiltration basins, and bio retention facilities.  

While construction of the tunnels under Anacostia are already underway, it is proposed that a $90 million investment into green infrastructure would replace the proposed Rock Creek tunnel and significantly reduce the Potomac tunnel.

There are potentially several benefits to the green infrastructure. New, permanent jobs would be created for the long-term maintenance of green infrastructure that could be more beneficial than the temporary jobs for construction of the tunnels. In addition, water quality could improve by 2015 and continue improving as more green space is added, whereas it would have taken until the completion of the tunnels  to see water quality improvement. It is believed that green infrastructure will have a long-term impact on water quality, whereas the tunnels will only provide a Band-Aid solution by containing storm runoff under the rivers.

Read the Full Story: DC Water Tunnels Go Green