Photo by BoundaryStoneDC

A mayoral task force charged with resolving the flooding that has plagued Bloomingdale and LeDroit Park for the better of a decade—but has gotten worse this year—laid out three short-term solutions today to hold back the rising waters, should more storms hit in the near future. According to a press release, the solutions are:

Storm Drains
With funding from DC Water, DDOT will analyze the number and effectiveness of storm drains in the 500 and 600 blocks of Florida Avenue NW. DDOT will then construct additional storm drains as needed, tying them into a part of the District’s sewer system that does not get overwhelmed during rainstorms. The analysis for this work will begin immediately, with any design and construction to begin within 45 days.

Stormwater Retention
With funding from DC Water, DDOT will design and install porous pavers, tree boxes and other water-capturing features in the sidewalk along the 100 block of Rhode Island Avenue NW. This project will retain stormwater and mitigate the effects of flooding in the street. The analysis for this work will begin immediately, with construction to begin within 45 days.

Rain Barrels
DC Water will provide a one-time grant of $250,000 to DDOE for an expansion of the RiverSmart Homes program specific to neighborhoods along the Northeast Boundary Trunk Sewer. The goal will be for thousands of individual households to disconnect their downspouts and install rain barrels, reducing the stormwater that runs off into the combined sewer. Rain barrels and downspout diversion will also help keep flooding away from homes with installed backflow preventers. DDOE will begin taking applications for rain barrels installed through this program October 1st.

The task force says the three fixes are aimed at keeping water out of local homes until longer-term solutions can be identified. DC Water is building a massive storage tunnel under the Anacostia River to hold stormwater runoff, though the project isn’t slated to be done for another 13 years.

The solutions may not be enough to mollify some irate residents and Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie (D-Ward 5), who earlier this week called for the creation of an emergency relief fund for residents whose homes flooded during the heavy rains.