About the Project

For more than a half century, the Alexandria Sanitation Authority (ASA) has been protecting the public’s health and the environment. Today, we treat millions of gallons of wastewater, and return safe and clean reclaimed water to the Potomac. However, to ensure continued safe and reliable operations and meet future growth, ASA must begin to modernize some of its old and deteriorating infrastructure, such as the sewer systems that run into the plant. And one of our major “must–do” tasks for 2008 is extending the useful life of 3,000 feet of the Commonwealth Sewer. Construction will begin early July 2008 and last approximately five months.

The Commonwealth Sewer dates back to 1956 when the original ASA plant began operation. However, after more than 50 years of almost continuous service, the sewer is in poor condition. The possibility of a major breakdown increases with each passing year. The Commonwealth Sewer can also no longer accommodate the City’s present and future capacity needs. It is critical that we restore the sewer to full working order, reliability and efficiency.

In 1997, ASA began the initial design phase to modernize the sewer. The Commonwealth Sewer System Improvements Project is being implemented in five phases and involves sewer improvements from Caton Avenue to Hooff’s Run Junction. We are currently in the fourth phase of the project, focusing on improvements from Oak Street to Duke Street. The fifth and final phase will involve improvements from Duke Street to Hooff’s Run Junction.

The estimated construction cost for this phase of the Commonwealth Sewer System Improvements Project is $1.4 million.

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