Utilities

Speaking of Water, DC Water Rates Increase Starting Friday

By Prince Of Petworth

photo by Eric P.

From DC Water:

“Beginning October 2, 2026, DC Water rates will increase by less than six percent. For the average residential customer, the total monthly bill is expected to rise by about $9, from about $147 to $156.

Affordability was a top priority as the new rates were set. The original proposed increase was 7.5 percent. DC Water kept the increase below 6 percent by removing the proposed Public Inconvenience Fee, absorbing those costs, and finding ways to work more efficiently.

Just as costs are rising for everyone, DC Water is also facing increasing operational costs. Materials, fuel, electricity, treatment supplies, construction, and daily operations all cost more. At the same time, DC Water must maintain and improve the systems that provide drinking water, carry and treat wastewater, and protect public health.

Customer payments help to maintain water and sewer services today and invest in improvements to keep the system reliable in the future. The new rates will help pay for: (more…)

“There are currently more than 8,000 customers without power in the District and more than 22,000 in Prince George’s County.”

By Prince Of Petworth

From Pepco:

“Pepco Crews Work Around the Clock to Safely Restore Power After Severe Storms

We know how difficult it is to be without power, especially after severe weather. Pepco crews are working safely and as quickly as possible to restore service to more than 31,000 customers after a dangerous line of thunderstorms moved through the District and Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties in Maryland last night. The storms brought strong winds, frequent lightning and heavy rain that damaged trees, power lines and utility poles across the Pepco service area.

The hardest-hit areas include parts of the District and Prince George’s County, where crews are repairing damage from downed trees, broken poles and damaged power lines. We understand customers want to know when their power will be restored, and crews will continue working until every customer who can safely receive service is restored. Hardest-hit areas include portions of the District and Prince George’s County. There are currently more than 8,000 customers without power in the District and more than 22,000 in Prince George’s County. We know being without power is difficult, and we appreciate our customers patience as our crews continue working safely to make repairs in their communities. Based on the current conditions, we estimate power will be restored to 90 percent of customers by 7:00 p.m. Sunday, September 6. We will continue to update the estimated restoration time as work progresses.

The National Weather Service is forecasting another round of storms for the Pepco region later today. (more…)

Pipe Replacement Plan “according to Washington Gas, will require $215 million over three years raised through a surcharge on customers’ gas bills.”

By Prince Of Petworth

From the Office of the Attorney General (OAG):

“Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today announced that the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), along with the Office of the People’s Counsel (OPC) and the Sierra Club, secured a new hearing before the DC Public Service Commission to reconsider Washington Gas Light Company’s (Washington Gas) pipe replacement plan, “District SAFE,” which according to Washington Gas, will require $215 million over three years raised through a surcharge on customers’ gas bills. The PSC granted a motion for rehearing filed by OAG, OPC, and the Sierra Club, and is holding a new hearing on the next phase of Washington Gas’s pipe replacement plan (previously called PROJECT pipes) on Monday, July 27 and Tuesday, July 28, 2026. (more…)

I, Prince of Petworth, Hereby Shout From the Rooftops: Pepco do better. DC, MD and VA must ensure huge data companies pay the price, not the people.

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Fritz Myer

“Dear PoPville,

‘Tis the season to complain about Pepco, but maybe something will be done if we all make a lot of noise? I keep my house between 75 and 78 degrees, and we received a bill for over $440! We do our best to be energy savvy this time of year (little to no cooking in the house, it’s grilling season!) we keep our blinds closed, all those kinds of things.

The charges are insane, (more…)

DC Water explains the process for “Why they need to keep digging.”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Eric P.

Thanks to DC Water for the explanation:

“We saw the post about LFDC digging and thought we’d let you know what’s happening. What this resident has seen is actually normal. When our LFDC contractors are working in a neighborhood, they will do work at each home multiple times. First, we do a test pit to verify if the line is lead and if it is lead we return again to replace it. We’ll do a temporary restoration on the yard when we complete the work and return later to do the final restoration work. Multiply that by every house in the neighborhood that signs up for LFDC and you get an idea of why our contractors are so frequently in the neighborhood. Most importantly, all of these steps are a critical part of our work to verify lead service lines and provide free replacements.

Here’s a summary outlining the construction schedule so you can see what’s entailed.

The process, visit by visit: (more…)

“When we finish the Piney Branch Tunnel, it will hold at least 4.2 million gallons of rainwater and wastewater during heavy storms.”

By Prince Of Petworth


“Clockwise from top): Overflow area where combined wastewater and stormwater are released into Piney Branch; Work to construct tunnel shaft underway; Construction next to sewer overflow area where tunnel will begin; and Crews working on construction site”

Update from DC Water:

“DC Water broke ground on the Piney Branch Tunnel, the final major tunnel in our Clean Rivers Project. This work will help keep sewage and trash out of local waterways and make Rock Creek, the Potomac River, and the Chesapeake Bay cleaner for our community.

When we finish the Piney Branch Tunnel, it will hold at least 4.2 million gallons of rainwater and wastewater during heavy storms. Instead of overflowing into Piney Branch, that water will go to the Blue Plains Water Resource Recovery Facility, where it will be treated. (more…)

View More Stories