DC Water operates Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant producing Class A biosolids and beneficial-reuse water, reducing Potomac River discharges under EPA Chesapeake Bay TMDL and the Clean Rivers Project consent decree.
Blue Plains is the largest advanced wastewater plant in the world, treating 384 million gallons daily for DC, Montgomery, Prince George's, Fairfax, and Loudoun. Under the 2005 federal consent decree and Chesapeake Bay TMDL, DC Water built the Clean Rivers Project — the $2.7 billion deep-tunnel system reducing combined sewer overflows by 96% by 2030. The plant's Cambi thermal hydrolysis process produces Class A biosolids marketed as Bloom soil amendment. DOEE issues NPDES permits and monitors nitrogen and phosphorus discharge limits set by EPA Region 3.
Civil penalties for permit exceedances are administered by EPA and DOEE under the Clean Water Act, with per-day fines up to $64,618 (2024 inflation-adjusted) for major violations.
Washington, DC
Residents must report visible water leaks, broken hydrants, and sewer backups to DC Water (DCWASA) within 24 hours via the 24/7 emergency line, under DC Code...
Washington, DC
DC enforces comprehensive stormwater management regulations under 21 DCMR Chapter 5 (Sections 501-547), administered by the Department of Energy and Environm...
See how Washington's recycled water rules rules stack up against other locations.
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