From DC Water:
“Starting March 23, DC Water will begin work that helps maintain more than 1,300 miles of water lines across the District. During this time, the disinfectant used in drinking water will temporarily switch from chloramine to chlorine through May 4. This switch helps support overall water quality throughout the year. (more…)
“Dear PoPville,
I can confirm that prices have suddenly skyrocketed 2x-5x. I have already paid almost $2000 dollars in 2026. At the pace I’m going (see attached), I’ll be looking at $10,000 this year.
I live alone and pay $250-$350 a month since October 2025, (more…)
photo by Eric Sidle
From DC Water last night around 10pm:
“Northbound lanes of 14th St NW, from L St to Thomas Circle, remain closed due to the risk of roadway collapse over an abandoned sewer tunnel. Detours are in place. Closure expected through the end of the week, weather permitting. Thx for your patience.”
“Traffic Advisory: Emergency Lane Closures Due to Risk of Collapse—14th Street NW south of Thomas Circle
February 08, 2026
DC Water is taking emergency measures with the immediate and ongoing closure of all northbound lanes of 14th Street between L Street NW and Thomas Circle, due to the imminent risk of collapse posed by an abandoned, century-old, brick-lined sewer tunnel beneath the roadway. (more…)
“Dear PoPville,
This is the second time this has happened in the last few months, and there’s no explanation of why or what they are doing. 8 hours on a Saturday! (more…)
“Update: Clean Rivers Impervious Area Measurements and Implementation Pause
Dear Customer,
We are writing to follow up on a recent letter you received regarding updated measurements used to calculate your Clean Rivers Impervious Area Charge (CRIAC).
We want to begin by acknowledging that our initial communication did not provide enough information or time for you to fully understand the change. We also recognize that for many customers, the primary concern is the impact on their bill. In some cases, updated measurements resulted in significant changes, and we understand how disruptive and frustrating this can feel. (more…)
“Dear PoPville,
What’s going on with DC Water … around the change in impervious area measurements? I got a letter over the holidays with a huge increase, only for DC Water to announce a pause in implementation. Wondering if this was citywide? So much opacity!
I’m confused about who received these letters…I have some friends in NW who did and others who did not. My increase is large, but others are larger. (more…)
Wait, what?!?! Come again now?
From DC Water:
“DC Water Unveils Pure Water DC: A Bold Vision to Strengthen Resilience and Secure a Second Source of Water
DC Water announced the launch of Pure Water DC, a groundbreaking program designed to strengthen the District’s water supply resilience and secure a second source of drinking water for the nation’s capital. This effort comes in response to growing risks posed by reliance on a single water source—the Potomac River—and the Washington Aqueduct, which currently supplies 100% of DC Water’s drinking water.
“Any disruption to the Potomac River or the Aqueduct would have catastrophic consequences—not just for Washington, DC, but for the entire region,” said David L. Gadis, CEO and General Manager of DC Water. “Pure Water DC is planning ahead, investing wisely, and ensuring that our customers, our economy, and our national security are protected. This is not optional—it’s essential.”
To kick off this initiative, DC Water convened a panel discussion along with industry experts, utilities, and federal and state regulators from across the region. The panel explored practical ways to make our water supply more resilient, including advanced water reuse —a growing solution nationwide to address vulnerabilities in the water supply. This method relies on advanced treatment processes to purify water to drinking standards so it can be safely recycled for various purposes.
“Last year’s close call exposed a critical vulnerability, when we came within 30 minutes of exhausting our water supply on the eve of Independence Day —a near crisis that affected nearly a million residents and visitors,” said Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes, Chair of DC Water’s Board of Directors. “We cannot allow that to happen again. Pure Water DC is our answer to ensure water resilience.”
The Pure Water DC strategy lays out a portfolio of solutions to address this vulnerability, including: (more…)
From DC Water:
“DC Water will begin construction this week to stabilize the slope on Canal Road NW between Foxhall Road (Glover-Archbold Trailhead) and the Georgetown University (GU) entrance. Temporary lane closures will be necessary during off-peak hours at times, and the sidewalk will be closed for the duration of the project. Work will begin on Saturday, September 20, 2025, and continue for approximately 6.5 months.
The slope stabilization will be performed in advance of the Potomac River Tunnel Project, a critical infrastructure effort to improve water quality in the Potomac River. Due to repeated landslides and falling rocks along the slope, (more…)
From DC Water:
“Beginning October 1, 2025, DC Water is making changes to miscellaneous fees and charges to improve transparency, streamline operations, and ensure that fees more accurately reflect the cost of services provided to customers.
These fees help DC Water recover the cost of services that go beyond regular water and sewer usage – like reviewing construction plans, installing or disconnecting water taps, inspections, expedited service requests, meter relocation, and other fees.
The new fee structure includes adjustments to existing charges and introduces several new fees that support customer service, permitting, and operational activities. Many fees will also shift from a reimbursable cost model to a fixed fee structure for many services, making it easier to understand costs upfront and offering greater predictability for businesses, contractors, and homeowners. Fixed fees simplify billing and reduce administrative delays, particularly for development and construction projects.
Changes to Miscellaneous Permit and Operation Fees include: (more…)
“The new trail route south of the work zone is a shared path for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists visiting the Washington Canoe Club.”
From DC Water:
“DC Water has opened the new portion of the Capital Crescent Trail in Georgetown, serving as a detour around the Potomac River Tunnel Project construction site, west of the aqueduct. The next phase of work involves stabilizing the ground within the site in preparation for upcoming construction activities.
Capital Crescent Trail and Water Street Northwest (more…)