Projected WSSC Repair Work along Sligo Creek

Background

Major repair work by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) on sewer pipes and manholes throughout the Sligo Creek watershed is scheduled to begin in 2013. The work is required as part of a consent decree handed down in 2005, following a lawsuit against WSSC for violations of the Clean Water Act (a suit to which Friends of Sligo Creek was a party; see the 2005 Action Log).

Sligo is one of twenty-six watersheds in Montgomery County whose water quality problems WSSC must address according to the dictates of the consent decree. In 2012, work will begin in the watersheds of Rock Creek, Cabin John, and Broad Branch; repairs in the Sligo Creek watershed are scheduled for the following year.

Projects in Sligo include 104 manholes deemed “priority 1” problems (that is, required by the consent decree), along with 312 in the priority 2 and 3 categories that will be addressed at the same time. Also on the list are a host of sewer pipes that need to be replaced or repaired. Before permits for the work are issued, all of the projects must be reviewed by county and state agencies, as well as by the Corps of Engineers. Laura Mol, January 20, 2012

July 2011

WSSC staff and consultants met with representatives of Friends of Sligo Creek on July 19 to discuss the work being planned and the process of planning, permitting, and review. Representing Friends of Sligo Creek were Laura Mol, Ed Murtagh, and Chris Victoria. WSSC provided a briefing on the project, answered questions, and distributed several sets of maps of the work now being planned. At present, preliminary plans are being developed and there will be several opportunities for WSSC consultation with Friends of Sligo Creek, as well as a public meeting. Read the notes from the July 19 meeting.

August 2011

At the August meeting of the Board of Directors, Laura Mol reported on the July meeting with WSSC and distributed a spreadsheet showing how WSSC “project” numbers relate to Friends of Sligo Creek “section” numbers. An article in the August newsletter will attempt to solicit interest from members who may wish to become involved in tracking and contributing to the process.

January 2012

Although the e-newsletter from the end of the summer produced no response, the growing number of tagged trees in the park (part of assessment preparatory to implementation plans) has effectively evoked questions among individuals, on the Friends of Sligo Creek listserv, and by email—as people are worried that trees are being marked for cutting.

February 2012

New point people have been assigned by both WSSC and by Friends of Sligo Creek. Sam Edoror is replacing Ed Carpenetti as the WSSC project manager and Bruce Sidwell is replacing Laura Mol as the Sligo Friends point-person. To learn more about the WSSC plans or to contribute to the discussion, contact Bruce at advocacy@fosc.org.