D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10-A, § 1304
1304.1 In conjunction with DC Water, Washington, DC must consider the impacts of new development and ensure that water infrastructure will be able to meet future demand while maintaining water quality and reliability. Planned improvements to the water system involve normal maintenance to replace aging water distribution mains and small-diameter pipes, and upgrades to keep pace with population growth and new development. This may also include adding new water storage facilities, increasing the capacity of certain water mains, and upgrading pump stations.
1304.2 Some areas in Wards 7 and 8 have historically experienced low water pressure. To improve the pressure, DC Water built a new pumping station in 2008, and in 2018, completed the construction of a new two-million-gallon water storage tower and new transmission mains at St. Elizabeths. These elements collectively created a new water service zone (new pressure area) south of the Fort Stanton area.
1304.3 In 2013, DC Water adopted Blue Horizon 2020, a strategic plan aimed at realigning the way water and wastewater are managed in Washington, DC. The plan seeks to manage water, wastewater, and stormwater more holistically, recognizing that drinking water is a scarce commodity subject to a variety of threats and challenges. One of the goals of Blue Horizon 2020 is to optimally manage infrastructure. The plan sets the objective of replacing or rehabilitating one percent of linear water infrastructure annually. It calls for an increased focus on preventive maintenance, including development of a Comprehensive Asset Management Plan. It also seeks to use alternative technologies and innovation to create more sustainable, cost-effective operations.
1304.4 Policy IN-1.2.1: Managing Water Systems Take an integrated approach to the planning of water, wastewater, and stormwater facilities and services. The merging of these systems will serve as the basis of a single water approach for both planning and management, which will balance the water environment and lead to better water services.
1304.5 Policy IN-1.2.2: Drinking Water Quality Drinking water in Washington, DC shall be both clean and safe to residents, workers and visitors.
1304.6 Policy IN-1.2.3: Modernizing and Rehabilitating Water Infrastructure Work proactively with DC Water to repair and replace aging infrastructure, and to upgrade the water distribution system to meet current and future demand. The District will support water system improvement programs that rehabilitate or replace undersized, defective, or deteriorating mains. The District will also
support concurrent programs to ensure that lines are flushed in order to eliminate the potential for stagnant water to accumulate at the ends of water mains.
1304.7
Work proactively with DC Water to provide land for new storage tanks and other necessary operations so that adequate water supply and pressure can be provided to all areas of the District. The siting and design of water storage tanks and similar facilities should be consistent with the policies of the Urban Design and Environmental Protection elements, and should minimize visual impacts, with special consideration to views of ridges or hills.
1304.8
Support DC Water efforts to update water system maps to accurately show pipelines, valves, and hydrants, as well as the age, material, size, and lining of pipelines.
1304.9
Continue the implementation of the Small Diameter Water Main Rehabilitation Program as identified in DC Water's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Work includes rehabilitating small-diameter (12-inch diameter and smaller) water mains to improve water pressure, system reliability, and flows in the system, as well as to maintain water quality.
1304.10
Continue the assessment of advanced water treatment processes that use ozonation, biologically active filters, ultraviolet light disinfection, and other innovative approaches to treat water.
1304.11
Require identification and replacement of all lead water mains and residential service pipes District-wide, focusing on households with children, low-income residents, and communities of color. Encourage completion of such efforts within a 10-year timeline. Support and expand opportunities to assist District homeowners in affordably replacing lead service lines, complementing DC Water's program.
See the Environmental Protection Element for additional policies on drinking water quality and water conservation.
SOURCE: District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; 31 DCR 1049 (March 9, 1984)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Element Amendment Act of 1984, effective March 16, 1985 (D.C. Law 5-187; 32 DCR 873 (February 15, 1985)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-129; 37 DCR 55 (January 5, 1990)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act
of 1989 NCPC-Recommended Amendments, and Closing of Public Alleys in Square 669, S.O. 88-452, Act of 1990, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-132; 37 DCR 2213 (April 6, 1990)); as amended by District Government Land Use Temporary Amendment Act of 1994, effective October 1, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-190; 41 DCR 5360 (August 12, 1994)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1994, effective October 6, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-193; 41 DCR 5536 (August 19, 1994)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Amendment Act of 1994, effective March 21, 1995 (D.C. Law 10-235; 42 DCR 30 (January 6, 1995)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1996, effective April 18, 1996 (D.C. Law 11-110; 43 DCR 530 (February 9, 1996)); as amended by Second Technical Amendments Act of 1996, effective April 9, 1997 (D.C. Law 11-255; 44 DCR 1271 (March 7, 1997)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 1998, effective April 27, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-275; 46 DCR 1441 (February 19, 1999)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1999, effective April 12, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-91; 47 DCR 520 (January 28, 2000)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-300; 54 DCR 924 (February 2, 2007)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 2008, effective March 25, 2009 (D.C. Law 17-353; 56 DCR 1117 (February 6, 2009)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2010, effective April 8, 2011 (D.C. Law 18-361; 58 DCR 908 (February 4, 2011)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2021, effective August 21, 2021 (D.C. Law 24-20; 68 DCR 006918 (July 16, 2021)).