Jenny GuillaumeEnvironmental Protection Specialist

RiverSmart HomesWatershed Protection Division

RiverSmart Homes 

Clean Water Starts in Your Yard 

17% of the urban and suburban areas in Chesapeake Bay watershed are impervious.

Imperviousness• User fees for CSO and MS4 to be based on concept of

“imperviousness”– i.e. hard surfaces that prevent drainage and infiltration of

rainwater, and that increase stormwater runoff– Impervious cover is a good surrogate measure for

stormwater runoff generated from a property– Examples: Parking lots, sidewalks, rooftops, etc.

Impervious Area in the District of Columbia

Map of impervious area in Chesapeake Bay watershed

Map of impervious area in Washington DC

The Effects of Stormwater Runoff in the District of Columbia:

• Over 34 miles of District rivers and streams do not support swimming or aquatic life use.

• The major cause of impairment to District surface water is pathogens.

• Combined sewer overflow and urban runoff are the main causes of pollution in District bodies of water.

Stormwater Background

• 1/3 of District served by combined sewer

• 2/3 of District served by separate storm and sanitary sewers (MS4)

CSO

MS4

MS4

MS41 pipe1 pipe

2 pipes2 pipes

Challenges with Managing Stormwater in DC

• The Federal Government controls 1/3 of the District’s lands– Smaller tax base– Difficult to perform work on

these lands

• Combined Sewer System controlled by a non-District Government entity

• State & Local Government at the same time

Why Focus on Private Property?

• Federal lands – where most space is available but they are not often a willing partner

• Residential development makes up greatest land use in the District

• Area the slowest for redevelopment & least likely to require stormwater retrofits

Background: Tried in the past and failed.

• Transportation difficulties – – 35% of District households do not own

cars– Those with cars typically have small

cars

• Homeowners have difficulties installing and/or maintaining BMPs – Downspouts not or poorly

disconnected– Dead trees– Rain barrels overflowing

• City regulations – Inspections of disconnections– Installation of rain gardens and

permeable pavement

RiverSmart Homes Defined:• This District-wide program

offers incentives to homeowners interested in reducing stormwater runoff from their properties.

• Homeowners receive up to $1,200 in landscaping services for one or more of the following landscape enhancements: Shade Trees, Rain Barrels, Pervious Pavers, Rain Gardens and BayScaping.

Rain Gardens

Permeable Pavement

BayScaping

Rain Barrels

Shade Trees

• Reduce quantity and improve quality of stormwater runoff• Recharge groundwater• Habitat diversity• Promote water conservation• Promote watershed stewardship

Goals of RiverSmart Homes :

How the Program Works Today1) Homeowners enroll in the program either online at

http://ddoe.dc.gov/riversmarthomes or by calling 202-535-2252. 2) DDOE will contact the homeowner to schedule a Stormwater Site Audit.3) DDOE audits property and provides recommendations to homeowner.4) Homeowners let DDOE know what they would like to do from the

recommendations.5) DDOE matches the homeowner with our non-profit partners Casey Trees, DC

Greenworks, and Alliance for Chesapeake Bay who will schedule the installations.

A Snapshot of Today• Over 1,800 DC Homeowners

interested in the program!

• Pilot program in Pope Branch: – 125 audits completed– 100 landscape installations

completed• City-wide:– 800+ audits completed– 500 rain barrels installed– 200+ trees planted– List of 320 homeowners waiting for

rain gardens and BayScaping