Bio-Retention Build & Ribbon Cutting
Bioretention Cells at DOEE Headquarters Help Prevent Sediment from Entering D.C. Waterways
The system captures the rain from the sidewalk on First St., NE, in NoMa, allowing it to support plant life and soak into the ground. Capturing stormwater keeps pollutants, such as sediment and auto fluids, from entering our streams and rivers. This is another example of how the District is working to restore our local watersheds—the Potomac and Anacostia rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.
BACKGROUND:
In keeping with Mayor Bowser’s Sustainable DC vision, DOEE is making its home base Earth-friendly. Coupled with installation of a green roof and future solar cells, the agency has constructed two large bioretention cells (high-performance LID devices which incorporate soil improvements and native plants into a confined space, allowing for treatment and retention of stormwater) along First and M Streets NE. These bioretention cells will capture a considerable amount of runoff from roadways and sidewalks surrounding the 1200 block of 1st Street NE. The water captured can either be sequestered by plants found within the cells, treated via filtration through the soil media within the cell and eventually emptied into the local combined sewer system, or detained and allowed to infiltrate into local groundwater. Practices such as these will enable the District to reduce pollution from reaching its local waterways. The total size of these bioretention cells is 2,877 square feet.
In keeping with Mayor Bowser’s Sustainable DC vision, DOEE is making its home base Earth-friendly. Coupled with installation of a green roof and future solar cells, the agency has constructed two large bioretention cells (high-performance LID devices which incorporate soil improvements and native plants into a confined space, allowing for treatment and retention of stormwater) along First and M Streets NE. These bioretention cells will capture a considerable amount of runoff from roadways and sidewalks surrounding the 1200 block of 1st Street NE. The water captured can either be sequestered by plants found within the cells, treated via filtration through the soil media within the cell and eventually emptied into the local combined sewer system, or detained and allowed to infiltrate into local groundwater. Practices such as these will enable the District to reduce pollution from reaching its local waterways. The total size of these bioretention cells is 2,877 square feet.