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City of Alexandria, VA

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  • Live

    Make the most of Alexandria's outstanding quality of life with information and services of interest to residents.

    • Be Prepared

      Are you ready? Find resources and information to help residents, businesses and visitors to prepare for all types of emergencies, and to stay safe.

      • Flooding Preparedness
      • Snow and Ice Control
      • Hurricane Preparedness
      • Emergency Preparedness
      • Public Health Emergency
    • Community Life

      Learn more about pets and animals, schools and libraries, parks and farmers' markets, community gardens, and more.

      • Community Gardens
      • Farmers' Markets
      • Parks
      • Pets
      • Recreation
    • Get Involved

      There are many opportunities to get involved to help better the City of Alexandria. Opportunities include serving on a Board, Commission or Committee, providing input on a new City project or speaking at a City Council meeting.

      • Boards and Commissions
      • Civic Engagement Policy
      • City Academies
      • Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
      • Speak at a Meeting
      • Volunteering
    • Getting Around

      Information on how to get to and through the City of Alexandria, including walking, biking, bus, rail, air, ridesharing, and more.

      • Bicycling in Alexandria
      • Bus and Rail
      • King Street Trolley
      • Parking in Alexandria
      • Street Maps
      • Taxis
      • Water Taxis
    • Historic Preservation

      Historic Alexandria is a treasure trove of early structures, artifacts, and records that creates a unique way of life for its citizens and provides enjoyment for thousands of people who visit this special community every year. The City continues to add resources to its collection of local and nationally designated historic districts.

      • Alexandria History
      • Board of Architectural Review
      • Historic Alexandria
      • Historic Districts
    • Licenses & Permits

      Find out whether a permit is required, the type of permit needed, fees involved, and what requirements are necessary for the activity you want to engage in Alexandria.

      • Building & Construction
      • Business Licenses
      • Health Permits
      • Marriage Licenses
      • Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
    • Parking

      Information about parking in the City of Alexandria, including parking options, enforcement, districts and permits.

      • Contest a Parking Ticket
      • Guest Parking Permits
      • Parking Permits
      • Parking Studies
      • Parking in Old Town
      • Pay a Parking Ticket
    • Public Health & Wellness

      Alexandria is committed to ensuring our residents thrive through physical, mental, and social health.

      • Aging & Adult Services
      • Domestic Violence
      • Environmental Health
      • Environmental Quality
      • Health Department
      • Health Clinics
      • Sexual Assault
      • Substance Abuse Prevention
      • Substance Abuse Services
      • Teen Pregnancy Prevention
      • Teen Wellness Center
    • Public Safety & Courts

      Agencies and programs that help maintain our safety and overall quality of life. These links contain information about the City of Alexandria's law enforcement agencies and public safety organizations, courts and judicial system.

      • Fire Department
      • Police Department
      • Sheriff's Office
      • Circuit Court
      • Clerk of Circuit Court
      • General District Court
      • J&DR Court
      • Court Service Unit
    • Public Works

      Learn more about how the City maintains streets, sidewalks, bridges, and other infrastructure in the City.

      • Bridge Maintenance
      • Paving and Potholes
      • Sewer Maintenance
      • Street Sweeping
    • Real Estate & Taxes

      The City collects car and real estate taxes, maintains tax relief programs and assesses property values. Taxes can be paid in a variety of ways including online, by phone and by mail.

      • Payments
      • Personal Property/Car Tax
      • Real Estate Assessments
      • Real Estate Tax
      • Tax Guide
      • Tax Relief
    • Schools & Libraries

      Did you know that ACPS is one of the most diverse school systems in the country? Our students come from more than 80 different countries, speak more than 60 languages, and represent a myriad of ethnic and cultural groups. The Alexandria Library is an educational, user-oriented service institution providing free public access to recorded knowledge and ideas.

      • Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS)
      • Alexandria Library
      • Child Care
      • Higher Learning
      • Out of School Time Programs
    • Social Services

      The City provides public assistance as a safety net for individuals and families, including help with homelessness prevention, food, rent, utilities, medical coverage and prescriptions, job training and placement assistance, and much more.

      • Aging & Adult Services
      • Child Care Assistance
      • Homeless Services
      • Housing Resources
      • Mentoring Programs
      • Military & Veteran Services
    • Trash & Recycling

      Find information on the City's refuse, recycling and yard waste collection programs.

      • Recycling
      • Refuse Collection
      • Yard Waste
    • Utilities

      The City of Alexandria does not operate any public utilities. The following companies are the primary providers of their respective service:

      • Cable TV (Comcast / Xfinity)
      • Drinking Water (Virginia American Water)
      • Electricity (Dominion Energy)
      • Natural Gas (Washington Gas)
      • Sewage/Water Treatment (Alex Renew)
      • Wired Telephone (Verizon)
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  • Play

    Whether you live here or are just visiting, Alexandria is a great place to shop, dine, take in the arts, get outdoors, and just have fun.

    • About Alexandria

      If you are looking for small-town charm and big-city amenities, Alexandria is the place to find them. Alexandria has a fascinating history, and many of its historic buildings are still preserved today. The City's many historic homes, churches, businesses, and museums allow residents and visitors alike to experience the past that makes it the charming town it is today.

      • Alexandria's History
      • Demographics & Statistics
      • Maps & GIS
      • Visit Alexandria
    • Arts & Culture

      Through engaging the community, encouraging participation, and facilitating access to arts and culture, the City builds a vibrant community for its residents, workers, and visitors.

      • City Concerts
      • City Events
      • Historic Property Rentals
      • Museums & Historic Sites
      • Office of Historic Alexandria
      • Office of the Arts
    • Entertainment

      Find events and activities, shops and restaurants, concerts and performances, arts and culture, historic attractions, parks and libraries, farmers' markets, and more.

      • City Concerts
      • City Events
      • Office of the Arts
      • Visit Alexandria: Things to Do
    • Getting Around

      Information on how to get to and through the City of Alexandria, including walking, biking, bus, rail, air, ridesharing, and more.

      • Bicycling in Alexandria
      • Bus & Rail
      • King Street Trolley
      • Parking in Alexandria
      • Street Maps
      • Taxis
      • Water Taxis
    • Museums & Historic Sites

      Alexandria is a desirable location to live, work and play. The City owns many of the premier historic sites in Alexandria and it is charged with the conservation, interpretation and promotion of these links to the past.

      • City Museums
      • Historic Sites & Attractions
      • Office of Historic Alexandria
    • Parks & Recreation

      Alexandria is an active community that offers more than 900 acres of parks and dedicated public space, and a wide variety of neighborhood and recreation centers, pools, dog parks, farmers' markets, waterfront activities and more.

      • Classes & Camps
      • Dog Parks
      • Facility & Park Rentals
      • Farmers' Markets
      • Marina & Waterfront Parks
      • ParkLink Interactive Map
      • Parks & Trails
      • Pools & Aquatics
      • Recreation Centers
      • Sports Leagues & Programs
    • Visit Alexandria

      Information about visiting Alexandria, including shopping, dining, attractions, accommodations, events listings and more. Plan your visit with an itinerary builder, interactive maps, hotel booking, online restaurant reservations and much more.

      • Group Tours
      • Meet in Alexandria
      • Plan Your Visit
      • Trip Planning Assistance
      • Visitor Center
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  • Services

    We are here to serve you. Browse the topics to the right to learn more about the programs and services we offer.

    • Alex311

      Connect with professional and knowledgeable staff for City service and information requests from every City department.

      • Missed Collection
      • Parking
      • Potholes
      • Street Cleaning
      • Trash & Recycling Containers
      • Trees
      • Yard Waste / Bulky Items Pickup
    • Animals

      What you need to know about animals, pets and wildlife in Alexandria.

      • Animal Adoption
      • Animal Control
      • Dog Parks
    • Buildings & Construction

      The City provides services to residents, businesses, contractors, and visitors needing permits for constructions and other developments.

      • Building Codes
      • City Code
      • Code Administration
      • Green Building
      • Land Use & Zoning
      • Permit Center
      • Permits & Land Use Applications
    • Environment

      "Green" initiatives, air quality, noise, water conservation, mosquito and rodent control.

      • Air Quality
      • Clean Waterways
      • Climate Change
      • Eco-City Alexandria
      • Green Building
      • Mosquito Control
      • Noise Control
      • Rodent Control
      • Stormwater Management
    • Jobs
      • City Government Jobs
      • Alexandria City Public Schools
      • Job Search Assistance (Workforce Development Center)
      • Collective Bargaining
    • Maps & GIS

      Geographic Information Systems (GIS) centrally manages, shares and analyzes information about locations through specialized mapping technology. This information increases transparency, improves many City technology applications and provides critical data to decision makers and the public.

      • Interactive Maps
      • Open Data
      • Standard Maps
    • Parks & Recreation

      Alexandria is an active community that offers more than 900 acres of parks and dedicated public space, and a wide variety of neighborhood and recreation centers, pools, dog parks, farmers' markets, waterfront activities and more.

      • Classes & Camps
      • Dog Parks
      • Facility & Park Rentals
      • Farmers' Markets
      • Marina & Waterfront
      • Parks & Trails
      • Pools & Aquatics
      • Recreation Centers
      • Sports Leagues & Programs
    • Property & Housing

      The City administers various housing-related programs and services.

      • Housing Master Plan
      • Landlord & Property Manager Resources
      • Maps & GIS
      • Office of Housing
      • Parcel Viewer
      • Real Estate Assessments
    • Public Health & Wellness

      Alexandria is committed to ensuring our residents thrive through physical, mental, and social health.

      • Aging & Adult Services
      • Emergency Mental Health Services
      • Environmental Health
      • Environmental Quality
      • Health Department
      • Health Clinics
      • Sexual and Domestic Violence Services
      • Substance Abuse Services
      • Teen Pregnancy Prevention
      • Teen Wellness Center
    • Public Safety & Courts

      Agencies and programs that help maintain our safety and overall quality of life. These links contain information about the City of Alexandria's law enforcement agencies and public safety organizations, courts and judicial system.

      • Fire Department
      • Police Department
      • Sheriff's Office
      • Circuit Court
      • Clerk of Circuit Court
      • General District Court
      • J&DR Court
      • Court Service Unit
    • Public Works

      Learn more about how the City maintains streets, sidewalks, bridges, and other infrastructure in the City.

      • Bridge Maintenance
      • Paving & Potholes
      • Sewer Maintenance
      • Street Sweeping
    • Real Estate & Taxes

      The City collects car and real estate taxes, maintains tax relief programs and assesses property values. Taxes can be paid in a variety of ways including online, by phone and by mail.

      • Payments
      • Personal Property/Car Tax
      • Real Estate Assessments
      • Real Estate Tax
      • Tax Guide
      • Tax Relief
    • Social Services

      The City provides public assistance as a safety net for individuals and families, including help with homelessness prevention, food, rent, utilities, medical coverage and prescriptions, job training and placement assistance, and much more.

      • Aging & Adult Services
      • Child Care
      • Children & Families
      • Discrimination & Disabilities
      • Gang & Youth Violence Prevention
      • Homeless Services
      • Housing Assistance
      • Human Rights
      • Job Search Assistance (Workforce Development Center)
      • Mentoring Programs
      • Military & Veteran Services
    • Trash & Recycling

      Find information on the City's refuse, recycling and yard waste collection programs.

      • Recycling
      • Refuse Collection
      • Yard Waste
    • Transportation

      Information on how to get to and through the City of Alexandria, including walking, biking, bus, rail, air, ridesharing, and more.

      • Bicycling in Alexandria
      • Bus & Rail
      • King Street Trolley
      • Parking in Alexandria
      • Street Maps
      • Taxis
      • Transportation Planning
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  • Business

    Ideally located just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., Alexandria is nationally recognized as one of the best places to live and do business on the east coast. Learn how we can help you start or relocate your business in Alexandria, and access resources for existing businesses and commuters.

    • Business Resources

      The City provides services and resources to help existing businesses expand within the City and promotes recruiting new businesses in Alexandria.

      • Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP)
      • Alexandria Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
      • BIPOC Small Business Program
      • Doing Business with the City
      • New Business Guide
      • Public-Private Partnerships
    • Jobs

      Alexandria offers wide range of job opportunities and services. Work for City government or City Public Schools, find out about an internship opportunity or learn about workforce development and career training options.

      • City Government Jobs
      • Job Search Assistance (Workforce Development Center)
      • Collective Bargaining
    • Licenses & Permits

      Find out whether a permit is required, the type of permit needed, fees involved, and what requirements are necessary for the activity you want to engage in Alexandria.

      • APEX Permitting & Land Use System
      • Business Licenses
      • Business Outdoor Program & Permits
      • Health Permits
      • Permit Center
      • Zoning Information
    • Real Estate & Taxes

      The City collects car and real estate taxes, maintains tax relief programs and assesses property values. Taxes can be paid in a variety of ways including online, by phone and by mail.

      • Business License Tax
      • Business Personal Property Tax
      • Lodging Tax
      • Meal Tax
      • Payments
      • Real Estate Assessment Search
      • Real Estate Assessments
      • Sales Tax
    • Transportation

      Information on how to get to and through the City of Alexandria, including walking, biking, bus, rail, air, ridesharing, and more.

      • Getting Around
      • Vehicle Registration
      • GO Alex Commuter Resources
      • Parking in Alexandria
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  • Government

    Learn more about Alexandria's accountable, effective, and well-managed government.

    • City Council

      The Alexandria City Council is composed of a Mayor and six Council members who are elected at-large for three-year terms. The Mayor, who is chosen on a separate ballot, presides over meetings of the Council and serves as the ceremonial head of government.

      • City Council Calendar
      • Communicate with City Council
      • Council Assignments
      • Meeting Dockets & Video
      • Speak at a Meeting
    • Boards & Commissions

      The City of Alexandria has a strong commitment to citizen participation as evidenced by the number of citizen boards and commissions established by City Council. These bodies compose a formal system through which citizens can advise City Council on all major issues affecting the City.

      • Meeting Dockets & Video
      • Apply for a Board or Commission
      • Boards & Commission Calendar
      • Boards & Commission Vacancies
      • Board of Architectural Review
      • Board of Zoning Appeals
      • Planning Commission
      • Park & Recreation Commission
      • Transportation Commission
    • Departments & Agencies

      View a list of City departments, offices and other agencies, and learn about their role in the organization.

      • City Government Departments & Offices
      • Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
      • Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
      • Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS)
      • Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP)
      • Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA)
      • Alexandria Transit Company (DASH)
      • Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA)
      • Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
      • Visit Alexandria (Official Tourism Site)
    • Public Safety & Courts

      Information about the City of Alexandria's law enforcement agencies and public safety organizations, courts and judicial system.

      • Police Department
      • Fire Department
      • Sheriff's Office
      • Courts
      • Office of Emergency Management
      • Emergency & Customer Communications
      • Community Policing Review Board
    • Elected Officials

      Alexandria voters elect a Mayor and City Council and three local officers, as well as state and federal representatives.

      • City Council
      • Clerk of Circuit Court
      • Commonwealth's Attorney
      • Sheriff
      • Voting in Alexandria
    • Get Involved

      There are many opportunities to get involved to help better the City of Alexandria. Opportunities include serving on a Board, Commission or Committee, providing input on a new City project or speaking at a City Council meeting.

      • Boards & Commissions
      • City of Alexandria Academy Programs
      • Civic Engagement Policy
      • Speak at a Meeting
      • Volunteering
    • Transparency

      The City government acts with integrity in an open process, and provides timely access to clear, trustworthy information, presented and employed by all parties from the beginning to the end of the process, including the reasoning that leads to and supports the policy conclusion.

      • Operating Budget & Capital Improvement Program
      • Meeting Dockets & Video
      • Performance Analytics
      • Alexandria's Strategic Plan
      • Race & Social Equity
      • Community Policing Review Board
      • Collective Bargaining
      • City Code
      • Open Data
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  • Projects & Plans

    Much of our work involves creating and improving infrastructure and planning for the future. Learn more about major projects and plans here, and how you can get involved!

    • Arts & Culture

      Information about arts, culture and historic projects in the City.

      • Arts & Culture Master Plan
      • Public Art Implementation Plan
    • Development

      Information about commercial and residential development projects in the City.

      • Landmark/Van Dorn Area Planning
      • North Potomac Yard Implementation / Virginia Tech Innovation Campus
      • Potomac River Generating Station Redevelopment
    • Environmental

      Information about environmental and "green" projects in the City.

      • 500 Block N. Pitt St. Sewer Separation Project
      • Flood Action Alexandria
      • Franklin St. Sewer Relocation Project
      • Holmes Run Trail Repairs
      • Lucky Run Stream Restoration
      • Oronoco Outfall Remediation Project
      • Wheeler Ave. Sanitary Sewer Pipe Relining
      • Windmill Hill Park Project - Phase II
    • Neighborhoods

      Information about neighborhood projects in the City.

      • Alexandria West Planning
      • Duke Street and West Taylor Run Project
      • Eisenhower Avenue Metrorail Station Pedestrian Crossing Improvements
      • King-Callahan-Russell Intersection Improvement Project
      • Mount Vernon Avenue North Complete Streets
    • Parks & Recreation

      Information about parks and recreation projects in the City.

      • Beauregard Street Multi-Use Trail Project
      • Bicycle Parking
      • Eugene Simpson Park Renovation Projects
      • Joseph Hensley Park Renovation
      • Old Cameron Run Trail Project
      • Robinson Terminal South Update: Historic Ship Stabilization
    • Public Facilities

      Information about public facilities projects in the City.

      • Alexandria Waterfront
      • King Street-Old Town Metro Access Improvement Project
      • Municipal Broadband
      • Potomac Yard Metrorail Station Project
    • Social Services

      Information about social services projects and plans in the City.

      • Aging and Adult Services
      • Early Care & Education Common Agenda
      • The Partnership to Prevent & End Homelessness
    • Transportation

      Information about transportation projects and plans in and around the City.

      • Adaptive Traffic Signal Control
      • Alexandria Mobility Plan
      • Complete Streets
      • Duke Street in Motion
      • Potomac Yard Metrorail Station Project
      • Smart Mobility
      • Traffic Mitigation
      • Vision Zero
      • West End Transitway
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    There's always something to do in Alexandria! Browse community events, government meetings and activities, and important deadlines.

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Sewer and Hydrant Maintenance

The Sewer and Hydrant Maintenance section of the Department of Transportation & Environmental Services is responsible for many of the "hidden" services that keep Alexandria running.
Page updated on March 19, 2023 at 3:23 PM

Public Works

  • Paving & Potholes
    • Report a Pothole
  • Street Sweeping
  • Sewer Maintenance
  • Bridge Maintenance
  • Snow & Ice Control

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Public Works Division employees clean out a storm drain clogged with debris on Polk Avenue on July 19. 

Sewer Maintenance

Report a sewer issue

The Sewer Maintenance section is responsible for maintaining many of the "hidden" services that we have all come to rely on as part of our daily lives, whether at work or play. Sewer Maintenance is responsible for inspecting and repairing storm and sanitary sewers, opening stoppages and replacing sewer mains as needed on a routine basis. The City's sewer and drain collection system consists of separated and combined sewers.

The Sewer section maintains 189 miles of storm sewers, 240 miles of sanitary sewers and six (6) miles of combined sewers. Other functions of the Sewer Section are hydrant maintenance and repair, maintenance and inspection of Best Management Practices (BMPs), and catch basin maintenance and repair.  The team uses a combination of Vactor Trucks, Jet Trucks, Flush Trucks, and CCTV Vans to inspect, maintain, and clear pipes of any obstructions. The ultimate goal is to reduce the flooding by decreasing mainline blockage, minimizing the infiltration and inflow of stormwater in the sanitary system, and evaluating the structural integrity of the entire sewer system. This team also assists with the development and management such as combined sewer overflow monitoring.

Stormwater Management

The Sewer Maintenance Section maintains 189 miles of storm water mains.  Stormwater mains transport stormwater to a receiving body of water such as a river, lake or ocean.  The City's stormwater mains discharge to the Potomac River.  The Sewer Section also works with the Department of Environment Protection (EPA), Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and local community groups to improve the water quality of the Potomac River.

Graphic depicting Alexandria's combined sewer system, which can overflow during heavy rain events

Combined Sewer Overflows 

The City owns and operates a combined sewer system (CSS) that discharges combined sewer overflows under wet weather conditions to waters of the Commonwealth of Virginia.  The City is authorized to discharge wet weather overflows from its CSS under the Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) Permit No. VA0087068 (permit) issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ).  During significant rain storms combined sewer systems may fill up beyond their capacity with a mixture of sanitary waste and rain water.  A combined sewer overflow (CSO) acts like a relief valve allowing sewerage to discharge into waterways instead of backing up into the homes and businesses, and into the streets.

A combined sewer is a sewage system that collects and disposes of both sanitary sewage and storm water runoff into sewage treatment works.  Is it called combined because in some more modern sewage systems, sanitary sewage and storm water runoff are not handled by one system but rather by two distinct pipes.  The purpose of this system is twofold.  One, it safely disposes of pollutants swept by a storm that are found on the ground, like pesticides, oil, and grease into treatment facilities.  This system is also responsible for collecting domestic and industrial sewage.  Under normal circumstances, the sewage is moved to a sewage plant and then safely disposed in a body of water.  During particular rainfall events, the capacity of the CSS may be exceeded and this excess flow, which is a mixture of stormwater and sanitary wastes, is discharged directly to Hunting Creek, Hooffs Run, or the Potomac River (Oronoco Bay) through the City's four permitted CSO outfall Structures.  The following outfalls are regulated under the City's VPDES Permit as point source discharges of combined sanitary sewage and stormwater overflow from the City's CSS.

001 - Pendleton Street CSO
002 - Royal Street CSO
003 - Duke Street CSO
004 - Hooffs Run CSO 

The City continues to practice and extensive program of sewer preventative maintenance.  Focusing or preventative maintenance has helped the City reduce the need for corrective and emergency maintenance.  The City's current preventive maintenance program includes the following activities:  

  • Monthly Problem Area Grease Flushing
  • Flushing of the sanitary sewers, storm sewers, and combined sewers in the CSS
  • Internal Sewer CCTV Inspections
  • Inlet and Catch Basin Cleaning
  • Sweeping and Cleaning of the Streets

The activities performed under the City's preventative maintenance program help maintain the capacity of the CSS in addition to maximizing the storage of the collection system.  See more information on the City's combined sewer system.


 

Property Owner Responsibilities

Residents are important partners in the City's work to maintain Alexandria's sewer connections and prevent backups. 

Sewer laterals are pipes that carry sanitary sewage from buildings to the City's sewer mains.  

For sewer laterals installed before July 1, 1955, it is the responsibility of the individual property owner to maintain and repair laterals from the curb to the property.

For sewer laterals installed on or after July 1, 1955, it is the responsibility of the individual property owner to maintain and repair everything from the infrastructure to the actual sewer main.  

Stormwater laterals are pipes that carry stormwater from buildings or land to the City's stormwater mains. These pipes are typically between four inches and twelve inches in diameter and are made of concrete, clay, plastic or cast iron.  The maintenance and repair of stormwater services are the responsibility of the individual property owners.

  • Homeowner Alert

Preventative Maintenance Program

The City's Sanitary Sewer Maintenance Program consists of inspections of the sewer pipes and manholes with the City wastewater collection system.  This initiative investigates the City sanitary sewer system in order to protect public health and the environment, ensure compliance with state and federal requirements and ultimately renew aging infrastructure.

PWS is using robotic technology with closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to determine which sewer lines need to be rehabilitated or repaired.  This technology is used to investigate emergency overflows, maintenance problems, identify infiltration and inflow problems and flooding issues and to provide information to prioritize projects and sanitary sewer replacements.

Hydrant Maintenance

Photo of TES crews performing hydrant maintenance.

Report a hydrant issue

The Sewer Maintenance section performs maintenance on all public fire hydrants, including painting and repairs. See the Frequently Asked Questions section below for information on reporting water main breaks, and maintaining private hydrants within the City.

How do I report a hydrant issue?

Visual examples of fire hydrant malfunctions.

If the hydrant is damaged, leaking, running, missing a valve cover, or leaning, please use Alex311 to report the issue.

Report a hydrant issue

If you believe a damaged hydrant is creating an emergency situation, please call 911. 

Are there fire hydrant problems that are causing me to lose water pressure?

Leaking fire hydrants can cause low water pressure in some instances. If you believe that a leaking public hydrant may be affecting water pressure in your home, please report the hydrant using Alex311.

Who is responsible for maintaining private fire hydrants?

Private hydrants in the City are to be maintained and tested by the homeowners' association (HOA), condominium, or apartment complex where they are located. Testing must be conducted by a private contractor hired by one of the aforementioned entities.

Private hydrant maintenance includes painting of hydrants. All private hydrants should be painted with Rust-Oleum OIL- BASED “SAFETY YELLOW” K7744 on the body (lower barrel and upper barrel) and top bonnet. Both hose nozzle caps should be painted with the Rust-Oleum “GLOSS WHITE” K7792.

Why are there different colored fire hydrants in Alexandria?

All public and private hydrants in Alexandria are yellow and white. There are a few hydrants in Old Town, located on King Street and the 300 block of Cameron Street that are painted black and white.

Who performs the testing of public fire hydrants?

All testing is performed by Virginia American Water, the Alexandria Fire Department, or the Department of Transportation & Environmental Services at different times throughout the year.

How do I report a water main break?

To report a water main break or water emergency, contact Virginia American Water at 1-800-272-1325 or use their online reporting form. If you're not sure if your water issue should be addressed by Virginia American Water or the City, you can also report the problem to Alex311 (311 or 703.746.4311).

Are Virginia American Water and the City of Alexandria part of the same organization?

The City's Department of Transportation & Environmental Services and Virginia American Water coordinate and work together on certain issues related to Alexandria's water, but they are two separate entities with different roles.

The City is responsible for maintaining all public hydrants. Virginia American Water is a utility company, responsible for maintaining all water mains and water service connections to residential homes and other properties; this includes issues of low water pressure, leaking water meters, water main breaks, and other water service-related issues.

Can you recommend a plumber?

This City cannot recommend specific contractors, but consumers should check references, compare prices, and consult reliable sources for plumber recommendations.

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Alexandria, VA 22314

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