D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10-A, § 1307
1307.1 The District’s storm drainage system consists of approximately 1,800 miles of sanitary and combined sewers, 16 stormwater stations, 75,000 catch basins and manholes, and 22 flow-metering stations. DC Water also maintains more than 500 separate storm sewer discharges into local rivers and creeks. Since the early 1900s, separate stormwater and sanitary sewers have been constructed within the District. In the existing combined sewer area, pipes and infrastructure have been upgraded as new developments connect to the existing system.
1307.2 Planned and programmed stormwater improvements include the replacement of undersized or deteriorated storm sewers with new and larger diameter pipes, and the installation of storm sewers to serve areas of new development or redevelopment. Rehabilitation and replacement of pumping station force mains are also planned. Regional and intergovernmental cooperation will be needed to maximize the effectiveness of these upgrades (see the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement text box).
See the Environmental Protection Element for policies and actions related to low impact development, green roofs, and other ways to reduce stormwater run-off.
Ensure that stormwater is efficiently conveyed, backups are minimized or eliminated, and the quality of receiving waters is sustained. Stormwater management should be an interagency process, with clear lines of responsibility with regard to oversight, guidelines, and sources.
Reduce stormwater runoff through a variety of approaches, such as rain gardens, bioswales, green roofs, trees, cisterns, and pervious pavement. By 2032, capture, retain, or reuse stormwater from at least 10 percent of Washington DC’s land area. Focus on areas that flood regularly, have steep topography, or have known drainage capacity issues.
Support ongoing District initiatives to reduce stormwater runoff, such as the Department of Energy and the Environment’s (DOEE’s) Stormwater Retention Credit Trading Program, which allows property owners to generate and sell stormwater retention credits to earn revenue for projects that reduce stormwater runoff through installation of green infrastructure or removal of impervious surfaces.
Continue the implementation of stormwater capital improvements as identified in
DC Water's CIP.
1307.7 Action IN-2.2.B: Stormwater Management Responsibilities
In compliance with the Comprehensive Stormwater Management Enhancement Amendment Act of 2008, continue to refine an integrated process for managing stormwater that enhances interagency communication and formally assigns responsibility and funding to stormwater drainage management. This process should include:
1307.8 Action IN-2.2.C: Rainwater Reuse
Develop guidance on the installation, treatment, monitoring controls, and inspections for rainwater reuse for non-potable purposes.
1307.8a Text Box: Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement
On June 16, 2014, the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement was signed. Signatories included representatives from the entire watershed. The agreement commits the Bay's headwater states to full partnership in the Bay Program. This is a historic agreement, as it facilitates coordination across the Bay's political boundaries. The agreement establishes goals and outcomes for the restoration of the Bay, its tributaries, and the lands that surround them.
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)).