Utilities

Some Basements Got Battered in Yesterday’s Storm. Anyway to Mitigate?

By Prince Of Petworth

It sounds like Edgewood got hit particularly badly.

A reader asks:

“We own a partial basement in Shaw. No issues for the first three years (2014-2017) but since then we’ve had flooding 2-3 times a year. We get the drains snaked regularly, and clean the outside drains of debris. It seems to happen when the pipes are overwhelmed by large storms. No one has been able to provide a fix – any suggestions or plumber/contractor recommendations? Just cleaning up the floods is getting old…thanks!”

More damage: (more…)

“Audi Field, the home of Major League Soccer club, D.C. United, has partnered with New Columbia Solar, a D.C.-based solar energy company, to complete a 627.8 kW-sized solar system across the stadium’s canopies and rooftop.”

By Prince Of Petworth


courtesy New Columbia Solar

From a press release:

“Audi Field, the home of Major League Soccer club, D.C. United, has partnered with New Columbia Solar, a D.C.-based solar energy company, to complete a 627.8 kW-sized solar system across the stadium’s canopies and rooftop. Construction was completed in May of 2020 with the assistance of Commonwealth Power, LLC. This is the 2nd largest solar installation at any Major League Soccer dedicated venue and the 5th largest solar installation ever in Washington, D.C.

The addition of more than 1,700 solar panels to the 20,000-seat stadium will generate over 787,000 kilowatt hours of renewable energy on-site, and nearly 20 million kilowatt hours over its expected 25 years of operation. A system of this size will reduce CO2 emissions by 556 metric tons annually, equating to the amount of electricity required to power 95 homes for an entire year.

The new solar system at Audi Field is expected to reduce the stadium’s utility dependency by 30% annually, with increased projections set to occur during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the renewable energy generated by the stadium will offset electricity costs significantly each year.”

Speaking of Audi Field:

“Tie the Knot at Audi Field!

Couples can now reserve Audi Field for their wedding. (more…)

“Cable/internet question”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Rich Renomeron

“Dear PoPville,

We live in a condo in an old row house. Our internet has never been great, but we’ve been without cable and internet for more than a week now. Comcast came out and pretty much threw up their hands and said it was an internal wiring issue. The technicians they recommended to troubleshoot internal problems came and said they don’t do anything beyond the outlet. We’re expecting our first baby in the next two weeks, which coupled with the current WFH situation makes the timing on this a bit more challenging. (more…)

“Who is Responsible for Tree Roots Clogging Sewer Line?”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

Last weekend our showers, etc backed up. The plumber was only able to clear the sewer line to the street by using a larger-than-usual snake. See the picture of the tree root that was pulled out. The tree is between the street and the public sidewalk. The tree root is under the public sidewalk. Is the city responsible for fixing this? If yes, who do I contact? What experiences have people had in this type of issue.”

Ed. Note: I am dealing with almost exactly the same issue and believe I need to contact DC Water. Has anyone else gone through this situation?

“NPS approves DC Water’s Soapstone Valley Park Sewer Rehabilitation Project”

By Prince Of Petworth


Soapstone

From DC Water:

“The National Park Service (NPS) has completed an Environmental Assessment (EA) and approved DC Water’s proposed Soapstone Valley Park Sewer Rehabilitation Project. Soapstone Valley Park is managed by Rock Creek Park and is located southeast of the intersection of Connecticut Avenue NW and Albemarle Street NW, extending to Broad Branch Road NW.

DC Water has determined that the Soapstone Valley Park sanitary sewer system has exceeded its design life and is in need of rehabilitation. Through this project, DC Water will rehabilitate aging sewer infrastructure within Soapstone Valley Park while limiting disturbances to park resources.

The EA described a No Action Alternative and a Trenchless Alternative (DC Water’s Preferred Alternative) for the proposed project and identified and evaluated the impacts on natural and historic resources from implementing these alternatives. The NPS has selected the Trenchless Alternative for the project.

The proposed project will involve the following: (more…)

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