Bacteria

Fecal Bacteria Problem

The Anacostia is severely impacted by fecal bacteria from several different sources. In Maryland, stormwater runoff causes erosion that exposes sanitary sewer pipes, resulting in broken pipes and the discharge of raw sewage. Another surprising source of fecal bacteria in Maryland is animal waste.  The large amount of impermeable surface means that fecal bacteria from domestic and wild animals is washed into the river instead of soaking into the ground during rain events.

Combined Sewer Overflows

In DC, the main source of fecal bacteria is from Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs).  This is the sewage system in the older part of the city.  Both stormwater runoff and sanitary sewage flow in the same pipes. Due to the growth of the District over the last hundred years, this system is now easily overwhelmed by rain events.  This triggers valves that discharge raw sewage into the river to prevent it from backing up into homes.

WARNING:
Combined sewer overflow discharge point
Pollution may occur during rainfall

Legal action by AWS resulted in a consent decree with DC Water which requires them to fix this problem, a multi-billion dollar effort known as the Clean Rivers Program.

The Water Quality Report Card shows how Bacteria levels in the water are improving.