What DC Water’s Doing on Appleton and (Eventually) Albemarle

by David Jonas Bardin

DC Water is installing new ductile iron pipe that will be used in place of the old cast iron water mains. Once it’s done, DC Water says the result will be improved water quality, reliability, and in some places, higher water pressure.

The old mains are being left in place. The original pipes date back to 1937.

This project started at Connecticut Avenue and Appleton Street NW and is moving westward, up the hill beyond Reno Road to 38th Street. It will eventually swing southward and then go back eastward along Albemarle Street before terminating at Reno.

The red lines in this DC Water map indicate where new water mains are being installed along Appleton, 38th and Albemarle Streets.

The projected completion date is this September (download the project information sheet here). DC Water’s prime contractor is Capitol Paving, with Omni Excavators as sub-contractor. The project involves breaking up paving above the old water main – and protecting street trees on either side of street.

DC Water prepares an excavated trench and safe working arrangements inside and out – for the construction crew, and passing pedestrians and cars.

Men and machines lay new pipes.

Personnel refill the trench and will later repave.

Temporary “no parking” restrictions (posted on signs and cones) clear public space to allow construction and one lane of traffic to proceed safely. Sometimes a resident parks anyway, imposing delays, extra costs, and risks.