For years, T&ES has been tracking and monitoring sewer backups that occur throughout the City, and is systematically addressing areas subject to sewer backups that occur as a result of significant wet weather events. 

The 400 block of Wolfe Street was identified as an area for future capacity improvement based on a combination of the City's tracking and monitoring, along with reaching out to City staff.

Planning for the 400 Block of Wolfe Street Sewer Upsizing Project was initiated and completed in the fall of 2023. Planning phase activities included CCTV sewer investigations, historic record document review, and public outreach with residents to confirm sewer backups were the result of capacity issues in the isolated section of the combined sewer system. It was determined further field survey and design would be necessary to provide a preliminary solution.

Public outreach in the planning phase occurred during the fourth quarter of 2023 and focused on direct communication with residents affected by sewer backups along the 400 block of Wolfe Street. Direct correspondence with residents resulted in a site visit and preliminary investigation of affected properties in the proposed project area.

City staff and engineering consultants spoke one-on-one with residents at their homes to discuss exactly when and how often backups occur and provided a general project timeline of design and potential construction in the future. 

The 400 Block of Wolfe Street Sewer Upsizing Project is currently in the design phase, which consists of City staff and engineering consultants performing site investigations, including easement surveys, sewer dye-testing, geotechnical borings to determine soil conditions, test holes to locate other utilities, and site survey to obtain information for existing sewer structures in the project area.

Following site investigation activities, engineers will perform sewer capacity calculations to determine how the sewer system currently performs during wet weather events, and prepare sewer system design alternatives to increase the sewer capacity and reduce sewer backups along Wolfe Street. 

Public outreach in the design phase consists of notifying residents of ongoing site investigation activities with letters and public notices. City engineers are also accessible for direct communication by phone and email. 

For more information, contact:

City Project Manager

Alicia Grant

alicia.grant@alexandriava.gov

703.746.4029