Pollution sources Anacostia River

one of biggest problems facing anacostia river raw sewage enters river , tributaries because of antiquated sewer systems. sewage creates public health threat because of fecal coliform bacteria , other pathogens; impairs water quality , can create hypoxic conditions lead large fish kills.

the anacostia watershed society (aws) sued washington, d.c. water , sewer authority (wasa) in 1999 allowing more 2,000,000,000 gallons (7,600,000 m) of combined sewage , urban runoff (stormwater) flow river via antiquated combined sewer overflow system. in settling lawsuit, wasa agreed invest $140 million on pump station rehabilitation, pipe cleaning , maintenance , public notices of overflows.

the washington navy yard , vicinity circa 1960. anacostia river runs diagonally upper left lower right center, crossed eleventh street bridge (in center) , sousa bridge (pennsylvania avenue) near top.

pursuant stormwater discharge permit issued u.s. environmental protection agency (epa), d.c. government implementing stormwater management program improve water quality in anacostia. governments of montgomery county , prince george s county operate stormwater management programs in respective jurisdictions.

in late 2004, aws , other organizations announced plans sue washington suburban sanitary commission (wssc) on similar problems river contamination maryland suburbs. according wssc, more 4,000,000 gallons (15,000 m) of raw sewage released anacostia tributaries between january 2001 , june 2004.

another large source of river pollution washington navy yard, sited alongside river , believed source of pcb contaminants in river , sediment.

in may 2009, bandalong litter trap floating litter-control system placed in watts branch tributary of anacostia river part of mayor adrian fenty s green dc agenda. in first year of operation, removed more 500 pounds (230 kg) of floatable litter per month river.

aerial view of southeast dc in 2009 showing progress of anacostia river