Colin Wiseman

DCWASA

From 1938 to 1996, the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Utility Administration was part of the DC Government. In 1996, the DC Government initiated the creation of the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC WASA), a semi-autonomous regional entity. On April 18, 1996, following a 30-day Congressional review period, the DC Council enacted DC Law 11-111, "The Water and Sewer Authority Establishment and Department of Public Works Reorganization Act of 1996." DC WASA began a renewal period to improve delivery of water and wastewater treatment services to the District and regional customers and to improve and replace the water and sewer infrastructure. Like many older East Coast cities, Washington, DC's aging water and sewer infrastructure was in dire need of major renovations and general maintenance. Among other operational changes, DC WASA's finances were no longer tied to the District's overall budget. This marked a positive change for the organization and its customers since every dollar collected by DC WASA could then be reinvested into operations and capital improvements. Funding for operations, improvements and debt financing now comes through user fees, grants and the sale of revenue bonds.