---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "scott@scott-roberts.net" <scott@scott-roberts.net>
Date: Jul 11, 2012 11:10 AM
Subject: [ward5] ~ Bloomingdale flooded last night [1 Attachment]
To: "ward5@yahoogroups.com" <ward5@yahoogroups.com>
...
-- From: "scott@scott-roberts.net" <scott@scott-roberts.net>
Date: Jul 11, 2012 11:10 AM
Subject: [ward5] ~ Bloomingdale flooded last night [1 Attachment]
To: "ward5@yahoogroups.com" <ward5@yahoogroups.com>
[Attachment(s) from scott@scott-roberts.net included below]
Last night, the heavy thunderstorms resulted in parts of Bloomingdale and Truxton Circle/Bates area getting flooded.
I hastily crafted today`s Bloomingdale, which I have sent out this morning. Bloomingdale has hundreds of newer residents who were not around for the neighborhood floods in 2001, 2005 and 2006. They were caught off guard. Many new residents are not familiar with the Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) or the huge DC Water tunnel proejct that eventually winds up in Bloomingdale at 1st & Bryant St NW -- slated for completion by 2025.
The first two items below are from prior year Bloomingdale posts; the 3rd & 4th items are news reports on the flooding from last night.
You can see some flooding pics at the Bloomingdale Neighborhood blog (vai the posted tweets) if you are interested: http://bloomingdaleneighborhood.blogspot.com/2012/07/bloomingdale-flooded-this-evening.html .
I am just posting this info to the Ward 5 list as FYI.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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+ I posted a bunch of flooding tweets from last night at the Bloomingdale Neighborhood blog, which includes some pics: http://bloomingdaleneighborhood.blogspot.com/2012/07/bloomingdale-flooded-this-evening.html
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+ Flooding comment from a neighbor near 1st & R St NW from last night: ``Looks like our 100 year deluge has happened again, Bloomingdale! Three times in 20 years is too often. Imagine the impact of more development at McMillan--and no water management plan!``
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+ Be sure to look at Eric Fidler`s Left For LeDroit blog post on Bloomingdale flooding: http://leftforledroit.com/2012/07/storm-floods-parts-of-bloomingdale/. Thanks, Eric!
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+ And be sure to look at the two attachments to today`s Bloomingdale Email. The .jpg file is a map of the DC Water tunnel boring sites from 2007. Note the dots in Eckington and Bloomingdale. The attached Powerpoint is from 2006 -- a presentation to the Bloomingdale Civic Association titled ``Sewer Investigation: Bloomingdale Neighborhood.`` New residents should read this!
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[ 1 ] From the 10/31/2007 Bloomingdale Email: About the Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) & the CSO Tunnel Route (includes Bloomingdale)
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This Bloomingdale Email is about just one topic -- the DC Water and Sewer Authority's Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) project. I invite all Bloomingdale group members to read this entire Email.
New residents: Were you aware that Bloomingdale is part of WASA's Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) area? And that Bloomingdale is subject to flooding during heavy, heavy summertime thunderstorms?
There was a drought this year, so there wasn't any basement flooding, thankfully. We were lucky this year.
But next summer, we may not be so fortunate.
So keeping up with WASA's progress on the Combined Sewer Overflow project
is definitely warranted.
This Email contains two items:
1) articles on the CSO project from the WASA October 2007 newsletter, and
2) a brief discussion about where WASA might construct its huge CSO tunnels -- somewhere near or close to Bloomingdale?
1) CSO Info in the October 2007 WASA Update Newsletter
You know the inserts that come with your monthly WASA bill....?
Have you ever read them?
You should, because they actually have very useful info, especially on the Combined Sewer Overflow.
The WASA newsletter is called "Update." This month's WASA bill insert newsletter provides a good update on the CSO.
WASA has posted its October 2007 Update newsletter at its website. Here is the direct link: http://www.dcwasa.com/news/publications/070907_CSO%20Update_OctoberFIN_WEB.pdf
I have copied in below two articles from this October 2007 Update newsletter that I invite you to read -- especially newer residents who may have been unaware that parts of Bloomingdale are subject to basement and street flooding.
As I said -- we, as a community, should stay on top of the issue and monitor WASA's progress with the CSO longitudinal project.
DrillingAlong
CSO Tunnel Route
Continues
During the year, WASA has been sampling
soil and measuring groundwater levels
at various locations throughout the city to
determine the route for 12 miles of huge Metrosized
underground tunnels. During heavy rainstorms,
these tunnels will capture and hold
combined sewer overflows (CSOs) to reduce
pollution levels in our waterways. [we are eager to achieve this result!]
Using truck-mounted drill rigs, two types of
soil borings have been made to determine the
best tunnel route through the District. One
uses conventional drilling – like that
for a well; and the other is sonic
drilling, which uses a vibrating
drill casing to get a continuous profile
of all of the underground layers.
As of the publication of this
newsletter the first phase of all
land-based borings should be complete.
The next step is to take borings from the
bed of the Anacostia River. To do this, a bargemounted
drill rig will take samples at various
locations in the river at the 11th Street bridge
and north of the CSX railroad bridge.
Final alignment of the tunnels is now
being determined. WASA is meeting with various
District government agencies, Bolling Air
Force Base, the Navy, the National Park Service,
several developers and District Advisory
Neighborhood Commissions (ANCs) to
discuss the planned facilities and coordinate
associated issues, including right-of-way and
construction. Completion of the Facility Plan
(tunnels, shafts, etc.) for the project is scheduled
for September 2008. Construction of the
tunnels, some of which will be up to 150 feet
underground, will start in the spring of 2012.
The completion of construction is scheduled
for 2018 for tunnels south of RFK Stadium
and 2025 for tunnels north of RFK Stadium.
FAQs About The Combined Sewer System
What is a Combined Sewer?
A combined sewer is a single pipe that carries both
sanitary wastewater and storm runoff. Many older
cities in the United States are served by combined
sewers. In the District, the combined sewer system
was designed and built by the US Army Corps of
Engineers. Modern practice is to build two pipes in
the street—one for stormwater runoff, and one for
wastewater from homes and businesses.
What is a CSO and Why Does it Occur?
A CSO is a Combined Sewer Overflow.
During dry weather, sewage from homes
and businesses is conveyed
to the District's wastewater
treatment plant at Blue
Plains where the wastewater
is treated to remove pollutants
before being discharged
to the Potomac River. During
certain rainfall conditions,
the capacity of a combined sewer may be exceeded.
When this occurs, the excess flow, a dilute mixture
of wastewater and stormwater runoff, is discharged
to the Anacostia River, Potomac River, Rock Creek
and tributary waters. The Federal Clean Water Act
allows CSOs, but the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) requires communities to develop a plan
to address overflows. There are 53 CSO outfalls listed
in WASA's existing discharge permit from the EPA.
Where are CSO Outfalls?
There are 10 CSO outfall locations on the Potomac
River, 15 on the Anacostia River and 28 along Rock
Creek and its tributaries. WASA has posted signs for
each outfall location.
When do CSOs Occur?
CSOs occur during wet weather and are more frequent
in wet years than dry years. During years with average
rainfall, WASA estimates that combined sewers
overflow into the Anacostia and Potomac rivers
about 75 times annually, spilling nearly 1.5 billion
gallons into the Anacostia and 850 million gallons
into the Potomac. Rock Creek averages 30 CSO
events and 52 million gallons of overflow a year.
What Are the Possible Public Health Impacts of CSOs?
CSOs may pose a danger to the public because of
the rapid flow of water exiting the outfalls and the
potentially harmful substances it may contain. The
public is advised to stay away from any sewer pipe
discharge. CSOs could affect
the receiving waters for up to
24 hours during small rainstorms
and for up to three days
when it rains one inch or more.
What are the Environmental Impacts of CSOs?
CSOs can adversely affect
the quality of rivers and
streams by contributing to
high bacterial levels and low
dissolved oxygen levels
which is harmful to fish and
other aquatic life.
What is a Dry Weather Overflow (DWO)?
In dry weather, sanitary wastewater
normally flows to the
Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater
Treatment Plant through
pipes with regulators. During
wet weather, regulators are
designed to let the excess flow
discharge directly to a river or
creek. If regulators become
blocked by debris or trash,
wastewater can overflow during
dry weather. This is called a
Dry Weather Overflow (DWO)
and WASA has an intensive
maintenance and inspection
program to prevent DWOs
from occurring. If you see a
CSO outfall discharging during dry weather,
call WASA at (202) 612-3400.
What is WASA Doing About CSOs?
WASA has projects underway that will reduce CSOs
by 40% by 2008. WASA also has a long-term plan
for reducing CSOs even further. This plan is called
the Long-Term Control Plan (LTCP) and involves
constructing storage tunnels to capture CSOs during
rain events. The LTCP will provide a 98% reduction
in CSO to the Anacostia River, and a 96% reduction
in CSO overall. The LTCP will be implemented over
a 20-year period. Details on the plan can be found on
WASA's website.
What Can You Do to Help?
Properly dispose of hazardous materials such as oil
and paint and don't litter or use catch basins as trash
receptacles. Trash improperly disposed in catch
basins can wash into District waterways during high
volume storm events—negatively impacting aquatic
life, and sporting and recreation activities.
Where Can I Get More Information?
You can learn more by visiting WASA's website at
www.dcwasa.com. Click on "Environment
& Education," then "Combined Sewer System."
You may also contact WASA Public Affairs at
The complete text of the Long -Term Control Plan
for Combined Sewer Overflows can also be found at
the following public Libraries: Capitol View, Mount
Pleasant, Northeast, Woodridge, Southeast, Shepherd
Park, Tenley Friendship, Washington Highlands.
2) Potential Locations of the WASA Boring Tunnels
Before you read this section -- did you read the "Drilling Along CSO Tunnel Route Continues" section above?
If not, then go back and read it before you read this section of this Email.
WASA is in the process of "determining the route for 12 miles of huge Metrosized underground tunnels."
With that in mind, now look at the map of the locations were WASA has been boring. I have posted this map at our Bloomingdale group at Google Groups.
Go to http://groups.google.com/group/bloomingdaleDC/files, then click on the file named "WASA tunnel boring sites 2007 10.jpg" [No longer supported by Google Groups -- sorry -- but the .jpeg is attached to this Emai.]
One * might * anticipate that WASA will determine that the future tunnels should be built in the areas where the boring activity has been taking place.
Now look at the very top of the map where Bloomingdale is located.
One of the locations on this map with a dot is North Capitol Street & Bryant Street.
Another dot on this map is around North Capitol Street & U Street.
A third dot appears to be located around North Capitol, Florida Avenue and R Street.
Notice the purple horizontal line along R Street that runs from Rhode Island Avenue NW along R Street NE in Eckington over to the Red Line / Amtrack train tracks.
So ...... perhaps one of the tunnels to be built, starting in 2012, might be along North Capitol Street and along R Street.
Final alignment of the tunnels is now being determined. Completion of the Facility Plan (tunnels, shafts, etc.) for the project is scheduled for September 2008.
One hopes that the development team for the McMillan Sand Filtration site can plug into the gigantic WASA tunnels that will be constructed * somewhere * in or close to Bloomingdale.
Which should hopefully make Bloomingdale residents happy!
/
/
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[ 2 ] From the 01/25/2008 Bloomingdale Email: WASA`s Guide to Preventing Sewer Backup & Flooding - Explicitly References Bloomingdale Streets
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WASA`s ``Guide to Preventing Sewer Backups and Flooding`` Brochure Explicitly References Bloomingdale & Truxton Circle Streets
Did everyone receive in the mail an envelope from WASA this week containing a brochure titled "A Guide to Preventing Sewer Backups and Flooding" ?
Some Bloomingdale streets are specifically mentioned.
In the foldout, look for the heading of ``Flood-prone areas in the District.``
Here is the text under this section:
"Neighborhoods in the District such as the west side of Florida Avenue between the Anacostia and 1st Street NW have historically experienced sewer backups and flooding due to the bowl-like (low lying) topography and the inadequate capacity of the sewers, some of which were constructed in the late 19th century. [Of course, the intersection of Florida & 1st St NW is in Bloomingdale.]
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