DC Water Clean Rivers Project, Rock Creek A Green Infrastructure

Washington, D.C.
Key Elements
  • Design-build project 
  • First large-scale implementation of green infrastructure in the District 
  • 79 green infrastructure facilities 

The DC Water Clean Rivers Project, Rock Creek A Green Infrastructure design-build project was the first large-scale implementation of green infrastructure in Washington, D.C. This project was necessary for DC Water to comply with an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandated long-term control plan to reduce combined sewer overflow (CSO) discharges from the City’s sewer system to Rock Creek. The project was funded by the District’s first-ever Environmental Impact Bond. 

Nitsch led the design, permitting, public outreach, traffic, and landscape architecture components of this challenging and time-sensitive project, in partnership with AKRF. This included the design, permitting, and construction of 79 green infrastructure facilities throughout the District. The Nitsch/AKRF team managed the design of the green infrastructure facilities, including the preparation of civil design drawings, stormwater calculations, and specifications.  

Because the majority of these facilities were located in urban residential neighborhoods, the project required a high level of communication with local residents to minimize disruptions due to construction. The Nitsch/AKRF team managed multi-disciplinary subconsultants who provided landscape architecture design, traffic plans, environmental compliance, permitting, and construction administration services.  

Key Collaborators

Owner: DC Water 
Engineering Partner: AKRF, Inc. 
Contractor: Anchor Construction 
Landscape Architect: Rhodeside & Harwell 
Land Surveyor and Geotechnical Engineer: EBA 
Community Outreach: Tina Boyd & Associates