Flood Action Alexandria

Trump repeal of Chesapeake Bay cleanup order targets local stormwater utility fees

Published September 22, 2026 at 2:45PM

A pair of Mallard ducks swim in the Potomac at the Alexandria waterfront (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

President Donald Trump (R) has rolled back a 2009 executive order that has guided mandates for the Chesapeake Bay’s cleanup for more than 17 years. The action took aim at localities like Alexandria with stormwater utility fees.

The White House said the 2009 executive order created a “broad mandate” for states and localities to improve the Chesapeake Bay’s health “without providing clarity on how to implement that order’s requirements.” According to the feds, Virginia — collectively with New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, D.C., Delaware and West Virginia — has met 100% of the goal for sediment reduction, 90% for phosphorus reduction, and 57% for nitrogen reduction.

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Virginia American Water to relocate water lines due to Alexandria stormwater capacity work

By Emily Leayman

Published June 25, 2026 at 1:45PM

Water faucet (via Imani/Unsplash)

As Alexandria pursues stormwater capacity projects to combat flooding in the north end, its drinking water utility will begin water line relocation in early July.

During the week of July 6, Virginia American Water will start work to relocate water service lines and parts of existing 6-inch and 12-inch ductile iron pipe. The work will happen on W. Reed Avenue from Mount Vernon Avenue to Commonwealth Avenue.

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City targets summer 2027 start date for flood mitigation project in northern Del Ray

By Emily Leayman

Published June 9, 2026 at 1:45PM

Illustration of a proposed culvert during future construction of the Commonwealth, Ashby, and Glebe Flood Mitigation Project (via City of Alexandria)

The city is getting ready for a potential 2027 start date on one of its biggest projects to address stormwater flooding in Lynhaven and the northern part of Del Ray.

The city held a meeting on the Commonwealth, Ashby, and Glebe Flood Mitigation Project last Thursday (June 4) at the Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center. Since the last community meeting in 2025, the project has received final design plans, and the city is preparing to solicit a construction contractor. It is also coordinating with utility owners for utility relocation to accommodate new stormwater infrastructure. Summer 2027 is the tentative construction start date.

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Water main relocation planned on Commonwealth Avenue ahead of flood mitigation work

By Emily Leayman

Published February 18, 2026 at 11:15AM

Commonwealth Avenue and Ashby Street intersection (via Google Maps)

A water main relocation project is coming to a stretch of Commonwealth Avenue in and around Del Ray, where one of the city’s biggest flood mitigation projects is planned.

Virginia American Water, the city’s drinking water utility, said it is starting a water main relocation on Commonwealth Avenue. The work is taking place between the 3700 block of Commonwealth Avenue and Ashby Street, and is intended to make space for new, larger stormwater pipes as part of the city’s Commonwealth, Ashby, Glebe Flood Mitigation Project in northern Del Ray.

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New NoVa Flood Map unifies rain gauge data across Northern Virginia

By Ryan Belmore

Published June 4, 2025 at 3:30PM

Green dots indicate rain gauges included in the NoVa Flood Map network. (via Flood Action Alexandria)

The Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC) is making it easier to share rain data and learn about flood patterns with the launch of the NoVa Flood Map rain gauge platform.

The collaborative platform, launched in March 2025, represents the region’s first synchronized rain gauge network, bringing together near real-time data from multiple localities across Northern Virginia.