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Alexandria installing 870 manhole inserts to combat flooding around Four Mile Run and Taylor Run

New manhole cover (image via City of Alexandria)

New manhole inserts aren’t normally notable or a cause for celebration, but they are in several Alexandria neighborhoods where they could help prevent flooding.

The City of Alexandria announced today that it will be installing 870 stainless steel manhole covers in the Four Mile Run, Commonwealth and Taylor Run sewer sheds.

“These inserts will help prevent stormwater runoff from entering sanitary sewer manholes during wet weather,” the city said in a release.

The release said the inserts sit on top of the manhole, directly underneath the cover, and have holes that slowly drain accumulated stormwater into the sewer after the storm ends.

“Manhole inserts are one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce inflow into the sanitary sewer system,” the release said. “Inflow into sanitary sewers can overwhelm the capacity of the sewer system, which can lead to sewer backups in basements.”

The installations started in February and will continue through the end of June.

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Milestone reached with 2.2-mile underground sewer tunnel completion in Old Town

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After 16 months of digging, Hazel the tunnel-boring machine can rest.

Alexandria’s massive RiverRenew Tunnel Program reached a critical milestone on Wednesday with the completion of a 2.2-mile underground tunnel that will divert millions of gallons of raw sewage from flowing into the Potomac River every year.

The $454.4 million program is the largest infrastructure development in Alexandria history and will replace Old Town’s 19th century combined sewer system with a tunnel system, sewer infrastructure and improvements that run their way from Old Town to AlexRenew’s wastewater treatment plant (1500 Eisenhower Avenue).

Mayor Justin Wilson tweeted that it’s a “critical and exciting milestone.”

This doesn’t mean that the project is finished. The deadline was pushed back a year, to 2026, by the Virginia General Assembly due to supply chain issues caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

AlexRenew now has to build a pumping station with shafts capable of pumping 20 million gallons per day and 180 million gallons per day.

“That’s a lot of electrical components, mechanical components, pumps, valves, that type of equipment,” AlexRenew CEO Justin Carl told ALXnow in a previous interview. “So we want to make sure that we’re accounting for the potential for having delays procuring that equipment as well when we build that pumping station, because we don’t want to have to go back to the GA (General Assembly) a second time to ask for an additional extension.”

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Alexandria City Council embarks on second water war with Virginia American Water

ALXnow reporter’s sink (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Three years after Alexandria battled with Virginia American Water over a significant rate hike, both sides are rearing up for round two.

Back in 2021, the City of Alexandria pushed back against a rate increase proposed by utility company Virginia American Water. The city was able to secure a $420,000 refund, but the rate still increased.

Now, Climate Action Officer Ryan Freed said Virginia American Water has increased rates by another 29%, which Alexandrians will see on their utility bill in May.

The average water bill in Alexandria is $35 per month, so Freed said this will amount to a $10 monthly increase or $125 per year.

Freed said there’s no way of stopping the rate increase from taking effect, but the City of Alexandria can fight it in the Virginia State Corporation Commission.

Freed said, with City Council approval, staff will argue to the Commission in June. Virginia American Water will make their rebuttal in September, and a settlement conference will likely come afterward.

“I think it’s going to be jarring to people when they open that bill in May,” said City Council member Sarah Bagley. “I think it’s important that the community hears we’re planning to object; that, unfortunately, the process does not provide a way to stop the rate from taking effect. You can only appeal it once it’s happened, so we are preparing to do that but it will take place regardless. Ultimately, if successful, we will be seeking refunds.”

Freed also noted that Virginia American Water is also seeking to further decouple the rate increases from regulatory oversight.

“Virginia American Water has been aggressive in seeking these increases,” Mayor Justin Wilson said. “They’ve been aggressive in seeking features that allow automatic rate increases without the scrutiny of the State Corporation Commission. We have universally opposed those mechanisms as well as exorbitant increases.”

Wilson also said he’s frustrated by the “inefficient” system of fighting over rate increases via refunds and suggested, in the future, trying to get Virginia American Water to come to the table to discuss increases rather than both sides engaging in a protracted legal battle.

The City Council voted unanimously to support staff intervening.

“Staff is really concerned about this for the community,” Freed said. “This is water. Water is life. This is why we’re taking this pretty seriously.”

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Notes: Alexandria’s yellow Metro line reopens

Good Monday morning, Alexandria!

☔ Today’s weather: Passing showers. Overcast. Mild. High of 66 and low of 53.
☔ Tomorrow: Rain. Cloudy. Mild. High of 71 and low of 57. Sunrise at 6:01 am and sunset at 8:07 pm.

🚨 You need to know

After eight months, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority reopened it’s yellow line on Sunday. The line has been out of service since September to allow work on the Potomac River tunnel and bridge.

“The work included replacing over 1,000 individual steel plates held together by more than 12,000 bolts in the tunnel and replacing 88 bearings on the bridge,” according to WMATA. “The project also upgraded the fire suppression system on the 3,000-foot bridge and removed and replaced miles of critical communications cables used by multiple regional partners.”

📈 Friday’s most read

The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for May 5, 2023.

  1. Giant Food on Duke Street adapts to shoplifting increase by locking one of its front doors (858 views)
  2. Notes: APD ‘determined’ to reduce crime near Braddock Road Metro after more shots fired (829 views)
  3. ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria (798 views)
  4. Just Listed in Alexandria | ALXnow (129 views)

🗞 Other local coverage

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on today in Alexandria, from our event calendar.

  • No events today. Have one to promote? Submit it to the calendar.
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Alexandria’s massive RiverRenew Tunnel Project to be dedicated/unveiled next week

Alexandria leaders will be on-hand on Thursday, July 14, for the unveiling and dedication of AlexRenew’s RiverRenew Tunnel Project.

The $454.4 million project will replace Old Town’s 19th century combined sewer system with a tunnel system, sewer infrastructure and improvements to AlexRenew’s wastewater treatment plant — all to prevent 130 million gallons of combined sewage from flowing from four outfalls into the Potomac River every year.

The dedication will be held on July 14 from 9 to 11:00 a.m. at the Alexandria Renew Education Center and Meeting Space (1800 Limerick Street).

The Virginia General Assembly mandated in 2017 that the project be completed by July 1, 2025. The groundbreaking for the project was held last fall.

The tunnel project is partially funded through a $321 million loan from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act and $50 million from the American Rescue Plan Act.

Late last month, a RiverRenew tunnel boring machine was delivered to the project site.

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City Council to receive update on stormwater infrastructure projects

A construction crew installs a check valve on East Mason Street in November (via City of Alexandria)

City staff laid out what’s ahead for some of the city’s stormwater infrastructure projects in a presentation prepared for the City Council’s meeting tonight (Tuesday).

Three large projects to increase sewer capacity are planned in Del Ray, according to the Flood Action Alexandria presentation. Two of the projects — a $34 million undertaking at East Glebe Road and Commonwealth Avenue and a $16 million project at Ashby Street and East Glebe Road — were merged together for planning purposes. The two projects are next to each other in the Four Mile Run watershed.

“This project is expected to increase the capacity, or size, of the stormwater sewer pipes; create opportunities for stormwater to be stored and released slowly over time; and incorporate ‘green infrastructure’ practices, such as permeable pavement, that allow the stormwater to soak into the ground, reducing runoff,” the city website states.

The contract for work in the Four Mile Run watershed is estimated to be awarded sometime this spring, with the project targeted for completion in 2025.

Another, called the Hooff’s Run Culvert/Timber Branch Bypass, is at the southern end of Del Ray. The $60 million project will construct a new stormwater pipe system to transport stormwater away from the Hooff’s Run Culvert, helping manage flows from the Timber Branch watershed, the city website states. The city plans to put out a request for qualifications for that project this spring.

Between fiscal years 2023 and 2032, the city proposes to fund $156 million in large capacity projects, $55 million in maintenance, $44 million in spot improvements and $18 million in water quality projects, according to the presentation.

The presentation lists two spot improvement projects in the design phase and another two in construction phase. Spot improvements are small capital projects meant to address localized flooding and draining issues relating to the city’s storm sewer system.

Cul-de-sac inlets and drainage are being designed for the Mount Vernon Avenue cul-de-sac near Blue Park. At Oakland Terrace in Rosemont, the city is in the design phase to stabilize degrading and eroding banks and protect sanitary sewer line.

The city is also increasing inlet capacity at Hume Avenue in the Potomac Yard area, and not far away at Clifford Avenue, and Fulton and Manning streets. The latter work started at the end of February.

Vernon Miles contributed to this article. Photo via City of Alexandria.

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Alexandria gets federal funding for body cameras, storm sewer repairs and more

In addition to ARPA funding, Alexandria is getting some love from the federal coffers for several longtime local priorities.

Rep. Don Beyer (D-8th) announced last week that $5.4 million had been secured for ten infrastructure projects around Northern Virginia, all of which were in Beyer’s community project funding requests added to the omnibus spending bill.

“This project funding will support storm sewer and climate resilience improvements in Alexandria and Falls Church, improve IT services in Fairfax County, and fund mental health resources in Arlington,” Beyer said in a release. “It will support a pilot program for the deployment of body-worn cameras for the Alexandria Police Department, and help implement recommendations made by the National Park Service’s recently-completed safety study for GW Parkway. It will enhance pedestrian routes across our region, and expand our electric vehicle infrastructure.”

Beyer thanked his colleagues for the bipartisan effort in getting the funding passed and to local leaders who identified and helped develop the requests.

The Alexandria tranche of funding includes:

Project Name: Pilot Deployment of Body Worn Cameras in the Alexandria Police Department
Recipient: City of Alexandria
Amount Enacted: $600,000

Project Name: Clifford Avenue, Fulton Street & Manning Street Storm Sewer Improvements
Recipient: City of Alexandria
Amount Enacted: $420,000

Project Name: George Washington Memorial Parkway – Traffic and Safety Context Sensitive Solutions, Belle Haven to City of Alexandria
Recipient: City of Alexandria
Amount Enacted: $300,000

Alexandria has repeatedly failed to get a body camera program off the ground, with efforts going back as far as 2015. The $600,000 helps, but estimates have put the total cost to purchase and operate the cameras at $13 million.

The storm sewer improvements in Del Ray are also at an area long targeted for storm infrastructure investment. Some preliminary work began at the site in late February, according to the city website.

“I am thankful to my colleagues who enacted the legislation to fund these initiatives, and to the local leaders who worked with me to identify and develop the initial requests,” Beyer said. These projects will make a real, positive difference in our region.”

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ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

It was a busy fall week in Alexandria. Here’s the rundown.

Our top story this week was on a plan to completely close off the 100 block of King Street as a pedestrian-only zone. The plan has been in the works since 2019, and was put into action last year. ALXnow’s poll on the subject had very one-sided results, showing 91% (791 votes) in favor of a permanent change.

There was a momentous groundbreaking this week, as city leaders converged for the $454.4 million RiverRenew Tunnel Project. The project is a major overhaul to replace Old Town’s combined sewer system and prevent 120 million gallons of combined sewage from flowing into the Potomac River.

School violence has become a major issue in Alexandria, as videos of fights at schools are surfacing on the internet, there have been arrests at Alexandria City Public Schools, and protests in front of City Hall on Monday and Tuesday this week.

As for the Alexandria juvenile who was shot in the upper body at the McDonald’s in the Bradlee Shopping Center last week, police say that there have been no arrests yet.

Important stories

Top stories

  1. City looks to permanently ‘pedestrianize’ a block of King Street
  2. UPDATE: Alexandria man charged with homicide after stabbing at BJ’s Wholesale Club in Landmark area
  3. Total Wine is taking shape in Potomac Yard
  4. ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria
  5. Man buys luxury car with fake driver’s license at Lindsay Lexus of Alexandria
  6. Protestors rally to return police to Alexandria schools, but officials say behind-the-scenes talks have stalled
  7. Man arrested for posting lewd photos of Alexandria stepsister on Twitter
  8. Firecracker shuts down Alexandria City High School football game
  9. Adoptable Chihuahua Dory only weighs 3.5 pounds
  10. Mayor Wilson: Potomac Yard construction delay ‘could have nothing to do with Metro station’
  11. Police: Juvenile shot at shopping center near Alexandria City High School

Have a safe weekend!

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AlexRenew breaks ground for massive Old Town RiverRenew project

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The groundbreaking for AlexRenew’s RiverRenew Tunnel Project was about as Alexandria as events get. The event was a who’s-who of current and former officials, complete with bagpipes, a poem about local sewage presented by the Town Crier, and even a cartoon mascot representing the boring machine getting ready to drill the largest infrastructure project in the city’s history.

The smiles and enthusiasm from city and state officials and organizations like the Potomac Riverkeeper Network were a marked departure from the occasionally contentious process that led to the $454.4 million RiverRenew project. Plans include replacing Old Town’s combined sewer system with a new sewer structure that will prevent 120 million gallons of combined sewage from flowing into the Potomac River.

“The Tunnel Project will include a two-mile-long underground tunnel, an open-cut pipeline, and other infrastructure to capture, store, and transport millions of gallons of combined sewage to AlexRenew’s wastewater treatment plant,” AlexRenew said in a press release. “There, these flows will be treated and cleaned prior to being returned to the Potomac River, reducing harmful overflow events from 70 to fewer than four each year.”

The city didn’t willingly enter into the project: the clean-up was mandated with a July 25, 2025 deadline by the state, over the objection of some local leadership. The project is currently scheduled to be finished on time.

“I’m proud of our role in bringing this great infrastructure investment today to life,” said Nancy Stoner, president of the Potomac Riverkeeper Network. “(T)his is critical infrastructure for protecting public health.”

Stoner said the eventual goal is to make the Potomac River swimmable again. Though later generations may not value the Herculean effort it took to get Old Town’s sewer system modernized, Mayor Justin Wilson said if it helps get the river into a cleaner state it will have been worth it.

“This investment prevents things from happening and provides an investment most people won’t really appreciate,” Wilson said. “People swimming in the Potomac years from now won’t really appreciate the investment. They’ll never see the investment, never understand it, but we will know, and we’ll know it was this generation that made the investment.”

Radhika Fox, assistant administrator for water for the Environmental Protection Agency, tied Alexandria’s experience in with nationwide efforts to improve water quality.

“This was one of the first loans I got to approve as part of the Biden-Harris administration,” Fox said. “One of the best bets we can make as a nation is to make these investments in our water infrastructure. It leads to environmental health, community vitality, that’s what this project is about. That’s a big, huge step Alexandria is taking today.”

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Sewer repairs in South Old Town to start later this month

Location of sewer repairs in South Old Town, via City of Alexandria

On the heels of rampant flooding across the city this weekend, the city is hosting a meeting later this week to discuss plans to fix a broken sewer pipeline in southern Old Town.

Tomorrow (Wednesday) the city is planning to host a meeting in the Lee Center (1108 Jefferson Street) from 7-9 p.m. to discuss the upcoming sewer pipe replacement. According to the city website, inspection of the sewer found that the pipe had been damaged and was causing residential sewer backups in the nearby area.

The repairs will involve construction of a new pipe, manholes, and other materials.

“The City has contracted Anchor Construction Corporation to install new 10-inch sanitary sewer pipes, replacing the existing 8-inch sanitary sewer line that runs along the City right-of-way on the north side of Franklin Street, east of South Patrick Street,” the city said in a press release. “The project will relocate 130 linear feet of sanitary sewer and install four manholes towards the center of the street to facilitate the long-term maintenance, as well as reconnect all existing laterals and restore the existing roadway surface.”

Construction is scheduled to begin starting Monday, Aug. 30, and the project is estimated to take approximately six months.

“Crews are permitted to work Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.” the city said in the relese. “The project will require the temporary closure of the sidewalk on the north side of Franklin Street and staggered parking restrictions. The flow of traffic, plus access to all businesses, driveways, and parking lots, will be maintained by flaggers during construction hours. Sanitary sewer service will be maintained using a bypass system.”

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