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DC Water and Sewer Authority
WASA to install new pipes to increase water pressure and replace lead service pipes east of the river
April 12, 2004

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District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority
5000 Overlook Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20032

CONTACT: Pat Wheeler

Office of Public Affairs
202.787.2200

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 12, 2004

WASA TO INSTALL NEW PIPES TO INCREASE WATER PRESSURE AND REPLACE LEAD SERVICE PIPES EAST OF THE RIVER

The D.C. Water and Sewer Authority (WASA) will begin construction April 26, 2004 on Martin Luther King Avenue Jr., SE to replace older cast iron pipes with new pipes that will deliver higher water pressures to residents and businesses east of the Anacostia River. Lead service pipes connected to the water main along this segment of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue will also be removed and replaced. WASA has made lead service pipe replacement a key priority especially when it can be integrated with other WASA replacement or improvement construction projects

The work is part of WASA’s $40 million Water System Infrastructure Rehabilitation Projects East of the Anacostia River Plan, designed to update the aging system and address East of the River citizen concerns about low water pressure. The plan evolved from community concerns and in response to research WASA conducted in 2000 that revealed the need to construct new pumping and water storage facilities as well as replace older cast iron pipes with new pipes constructed of ductile iron that can withstand higher water pressures without breaking.

"This $40 million investment is part of the Water Capital Improvements Program and will result in improved service to WASA customers," said WASA general manager Jerry Johnson. "These new pumping stations, storage facilities and pipelines will ensure that residents and businesses benefit from improved higher water pressure and more reliable service."

In the first phase of the plan, the major 20-inch cast iron water main pipe along Martin Luther King Avenue Jr., SE from Milwaukee Avenue north to Upsal Street will be replaced with 5,310 feet of stronger 20-inch ductile iron pipe. The pipe will be replaced in small segments at a time and WASA will notify affected areas at least 2 weeks in advance of starting construction along a particular section of the street. WASA will ensure traffic along the avenue continues to move safely during construction and make every effort to limit disruptions to businesses and traffic. Impacted areas will be notified at least 72 hours in advance of rerouting traffic. After the pipe is replaced, Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue will be repaved and improved. Work will begin on or about April 26, 2004 with completion anticipated by December 12, 2004.

Residents and business will be notified at least 48 hours in advance of any need to interrupt water service to facilitate pipe replacement.

Funding for the Water System Infrastructure Rehabilitation Projects East of the Anacostia River is through WASA's Water System Capital Improvement Program.

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District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority

Proposed Project Information Sheet
Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE
20-inch Ductile Iron Water Main Replacement

Background

§ The subject water main pipe is located along Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE from Milwaukee Place to Upsal Street.

§ As part of a city-wide water facilities planning effort in 2000, and in response to concerns expressed by area residents, WASA determined the need to upgrade the aging system and address historical low pressure problems in parts of the city east of the Anacostia River. To improve service in this area, WASA approved the Water System Infrastructure Rehabilitation Projects East of the Anacostia River with an estimated program cost of $40 million. This program includes constructing new pumping and water storage facilities and replacing pipes along Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE. The existing 20-inch pipe is being replaced with a new pipe to prevent breaks at higher water pressures WASA wants to provide to its residential and business customers. The ability to get higher water pressure also helps the District to attract and support economic development projects such as new housing construction and future new construction on St. Elizabeth’s campus.

Proposed Work

§ Replace the current cast iron pipe with 5,310 feet of stronger 20" ductile iron pipe.

§ To limit disruptions to businesses and traffic, replace the pipe in small segments from Milwaukee Place north to Upsal Street. WASA will notify affected areas at least 2 weeks in advance of starting construction.

§ Repave and improve Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue after the pipe is replaced.

§ Replace all existing lead service pipes.

Schedule

§ Work will begin on or about April 26, 2004 with completion expected by December 12, 2004.

§ Normal work hours will be from 7a.m. to 3p.m., Monday – Friday.

§ Temporary water service shut-off may occur as necessary to replace the old pipe. Service interruptions will be kept to a minimum, normally lasting no more than 6 hours usually between 9:30 p.m. and 3:30 a.m. Property owners, adjacent to or affected by the work will be notified at least 48 hours in advance of a shut-off by the contractor.

Traffic Plan

§ WASA will ensure traffic along the avenue continues to move safely during construction and will make every effort to minimize disruptions. WASA will notify affected areas at least 72 hours in advance prior to rerouting traffic.

§ The Traffic Plan approved by the D.C. Department of Transportation is attached.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

John Newbery, Superintendent, J.F Creamer & Son, Inc. (301) 931-7400, DCWASA Contractor
Deidre Saunders, Project Manager, DCWASA (202) 787-2422
Public Affairs Office, DCWASA (202) 787-2200
Lead Service Hotline (202) 787-2732

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