U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct feasibility study for Washington Metro backup water supply

Photo By Sarah Lazo | A panoramic of the Georgetown Reservoir as part of the Washington Aqueduct in the District of Columbia, Jan. 8, 2016. This facility was completed in 1858 and originally served as the settling and distribution reservoir before flowing waters to customers. Today, the reservoir continues to provide natural settling then flows water through the distinguishing castle gatehouse and through the four-mile City Tunnel to the McMillan Reservoir and Water Treatment Plant. At the plant, water undergoes a modern treatment process of filtering and disinfection, then flows to the Bryant Street Pumping Station and beyond for consumer use. (U.S. Army photo by Sarah Gross, this photo was taken on panoramic setting on iPhone. It was cropped and altered for saturation and brightness)  

WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, UNITED STATES

10.09.2024

Story by Cynthia Mitchell  

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District   

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Baltimore District, and Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) signed an agreement that will initiate the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area Backup Water Supply Feasibility Study aimed at developing coordinated and implementable solutions that ensure abundant water supply, including the identification of a secondary water source and additional water storage capability in the Washington Metropolitan Area, Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.

The three-year, $3 million dollar study which received funding in the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill will help Army Engineers consider backup water supplies for the Washington Aqueduct, a USACE-owned and operated public water supply agency that produces an average of 150 million gallons of water per day at their two treatment plants located in DC, serving approximately one million citizens living, working, or visiting the nation’s capital.

Currently, the Aqueduct collects, purifies and pumps drinking water from a sole source – the Potomac River – for its three wholesale customers: DC Water, Arlington County and Fairfax Water. Most major cities have more than one water source to ensure continual production of water. Water storage alternatives will also be closely examined.

“We currently have about 24 to 48 hours of water supply available, should the Potomac River become unavailable due to contamination or any other reason,” said Washington Aqueduct General Manager Rudy Chow. “We are very mindful of this vulnerability and the security risks involved."

The Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin unveiled a report last month highlighting the financial consequences facing the region in the event of a disruption to the area’s water supply. In just one month, a significant disruption from threats like infrastructure failures or natural disasters in Washington’s water supply could result in a loss of $15 billion in gross regional product (GRP) and hundreds of millions in tax losses.

“For nearly 170 years, the Washington Aqueduct has been committed to executing its critical mission to produce safe, reliable, and high-quality drinking water for approximately one million citizens living, working, or visiting the National Capital Region,” said Baltimore District Commander Col. Francis Pera. “Every action we take is focused on upholding our mission, and this feasibility study will support necessary steps towards increased water resiliency standards that will ensure we can continue to deliver on our exceptional record well into the future.”

Additional Information

Baltimore District delivers vital engineering solutions in collaboration with its partners to serve and strengthen the Nation, energize the economy, and reduce disaster risks. Headquartered near Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, Baltimore District provides design, engineering, construction, environmental, and real estate expertise to various important projects and customers. This support spans five states, the District of Columbia, overseas, and the Susquehanna, Potomac, and Chesapeake Bay watersheds. These civil and military missions and diverse engineering services support communities and warfighters while addressing the ever-growing list of emerging national security requirements and ultimately protecting the Nation.

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• Date Taken: 10.09.2024
• Date Posted: 10.11.2024 11:30
• Story ID: 482863
• Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, US
• Hometown: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, US