DC Water is doing work at the Fort Reno pumping station that will increase water pressure for many in this area – some more than others. Those properties will need a special pressure-reducing valve. DC Water says 924 properties in Ward 3 will be impacted, and I’ve contacted DC Water asking for more specifics. In the meantime, consider attending the public meeting DC Water is hosting Wednesday evening at UDC. Details are below. – Marlene Berlin
Greetings DC Water Stakeholder:
DC Water invites you to attend an upcoming public informational meeting to learn about its exciting new program, known as the Pressure Zone Improvement Program, or PZIP.
As you are aware, DC Water is making ongoing improvements to both its facilities and infrastructure as a way to enhance and improve water and wastewater services to its valued customers. With this goal in mind, DC Water is in the process of upgrading the Fort Reno Pumping Station in northwest, DC, a project which is currently slated for completion in late 2015.
Upon completion of these upgrades, many residential/commercial properties throughout Ward 3 will experience an increase in water pressure by 11 pounds per square inch, or 11 psi. For some properties, the increase will cause the water pressure to exceed 80 psi. According to DC Plumbing Code, pressure at this level is normally defined as high water pressure, further necessitating the installation of a Pressure-Reducing Valve, or PRV. DC Water has carefully identified those properties that will experience the 11psi increase overall and, more specifically, those that will experience pressures exceeding 80 psi. Under PZIP, DC Water will purchase and install a PRV in each property that will see high water pressure, all at no cost to the property owner. It is critical that the PRV’s are installed prior to the pressure increase, so the scheduling of installations will begin in spring 2014.
In the coming weeks, DC Water will begin mailing program materials and information to all properties throughout the ward that will experience increased water pressure due to the Fort Reno Pumping Station upgrades. As another effort to educate the public about PZIP and ensure that you understand the materials and information you will receive, DC Water will be hosting a public informational meeting dedicated solely to the program. The meeting information is as follows:
DC Water Pressure Zone Improvement Program Public Informational Meeting
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
The presentation materials will primarily consist of a brief but detailed power point presentation explaining the program, sample packets of information that will be included in the mailings to aid in the discussion, and also a viewing of three short videos produced by DC Water highlighting helpful, general plumbing tips in the home.
We hope that you will find time in your schedule to attend this important meeting so that we may share information with you but also address any questions you may have.
Emanuel D. Briggs | Manager, Community Outreach, External Affairs | District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority | emanuel.briggs@dcwater.com | 5000 Overlook Avenue, SW | Washington, DC 20032 | (202) 787-2003