“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…)
“Dear POPville,
I have noticed some really unusual activity on my Pepco account and wondering if others are seeing similar/have any suggested course of action? I contacted Pepco after last billing cycle to contest the amount (almost $300!), and they said they would send techs out to read the meter since the bill was based on an estimate. The next day, without warning or scheduling, two reps from Pepco tried to buzz into my building while I was at work, and I never heard from them or Pepco again. I live in a one bedroom, 600sqft apartment and don’t have any unusual/high energy demand (I don’t think), and these are my bills since moving in: (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 Pepco:
“With the federal government shutdown beginning October 1, Pepco is providing impacted customers with enhanced resources and support measures to help manage energy bills and maintain service continuity.
Available support includes: (more…)
photo by Jim Havard
From the DC Office of the Attorney General (OAG):
“Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today announced that Washington Gas has agreed to contain hazardous pollution actively seeping into the Anacostia River at the former site of the company’s East Station, a gas plant that operated on the banks of the river for nearly 100 years.
An investigation by the District’s Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) and the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) uncovered evidence that toxic chemicals—byproducts of gas manufacturing at the shuttered plant—are currently bubbling up from the contaminated riverbed and seeping into the water from polluted soil on the riverbank. OAG alleges that Washington Gas has failed to take adequate steps to prevent the ongoing release of pollutants. Under the terms of a new settlement agreement, the company must install a new floating boom to contain pollution on the surface of the water; install new barriers to prevent the release of pollutants from the riverbed and riverbank; submit to ongoing monitoring by the District; and face fines for any noncompliance. (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…)
“Dear PoPville,
I’m reaching out to see if anyone has experience or ideas for dealing with Pepco when they’re unresponsive, and if other readers have encountered this.
Our row house has been without power since July 1. Multiple electricians have tried—and failed—to locate the issue, only for Pepco to eventually come out and confirm that the problem was on their end: a faulty meter box that needs replacing. (more…)
Thanks to Jeff for sending last night (Friday) around 9:20pm:
“Huge power outage! This happened out front by St Augustine’s church (1419 V Street, NW.) Manholes blew off as is so often the case. Cops and Pepco crews out front.” (more…)
ICYMI: “Pepco Provides Update on 22nd Street Substation Repairs” yesterday.
Thanks to a reader for passing on from their apartment building in Dupont Circle (1330 New Hampshire Ave., NW):
“PEPCO has stated that power outages are likely today and tomorrow and have asked that everyone do their part in trying to conserve energy.
You can: (more…)