Current Requirements (Pre-Regulations)
DOEE currently allows and oversees discharges of groundwater to District surface water bodies that pass through the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4). Discharges that pass through the combined or sanitary sewer systems are overseen by DC Water. DOEE’s Groundwater Discharge Authorization (GDA) program reviews and approves discharges to the MS4 to ensure that the District is in compliance with its NPDES permit and to prevent contaminated groundwater from reaching the District’s rivers and streams. DOEE’s program provides construction dewaterers and sumps collecting groundwater in building sub-levels an efficient method of groundwater disposal.
Any groundwater that is being discharged to the MS4 (See Map of CSS and MS4) must first be reviewed and approved by DOEE. This includes water from non-residential building sump pumps and from construction projects whose excavations will encounter groundwater (such as buildings with basements or parking garages in areas with a shallow groundwater table). Requirements for application include DOEE-approved pre-discharge groundwater characterization and scheduled effluent monitoring during discharge. To learn more about whether your site is eligible for a Groundwater Discharge Authorization, and what steps your site will need to complete to apply, please contact [email protected].
Proposed Regulations
- 21 DCMR 1600: Discharge of Groundwater to the Municipal Separate Stormwater Sewer System (MS4)
DOEE has drafted a new set of regulations that will codify the Groundwater Discharge Authorization program. The new regulations will make the application review and permit oversight process highly transparent and predictable, while remaining diligently protective of the District’s surface water bodies. These proposed regulations were recently published on May 26, 2023 in the DC Register, Volume 70 Number 21. The public comment period will run for 60 days. Public meetings are scheduled to give stakeholders an opportunity to learn about the new regulations and ask any questions before they submit public comments. Dates, times, and links are below:
Tuesday, June 20, 2023 12:00pm | 1 hour 30 minutes | (UTC-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
WebEx >>
Meeting number: 2318 441 7057 | Password: 8jfJ9HQ9Ecm
Join by video system: Dial [email protected]
You can also dial 173.243.2.68 and enter your meeting number.
Join by phone: +1-202-860-2110 United States Toll (Washington D.C.); 1-650-479-3208 Call-in toll number (US/Canada) - Access code: 231 844 17057
Wednesday, June 21, 2023 1:30pm | 1 hour 30 minutes | (UTC-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Meeting number: 2300 937 2461 | Password: Z3HyRgisq22
Join by video system: Dial [email protected]
You can also dial 173.243.2.68 and enter your meeting number.
Join by phone: +1-202-860-2110 United States Toll (Washington D.C.); 1-650-479-3208 Call-in toll number (US/Canada) - Access code: 230 093 72461