United States Office of Water Publication * EPA 833-F-94-002
Environmental Protection 4203 April 1994
Agency
EPA SUMMARIES OF CWA 104(b)(3)
GRANTS
District of Columbia Floating
Debris Program
Floating Debris Program for the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers
FY 1991 - Grant #CP-003656-01
Floating debris and trash destroys the natural beauty of our nation's waterways and has been a serious problem in the
Anacostia and Potomac Rivers. Trash and debris can also damage dams, power plants, municipal water systems, and boats. It
can inhibit the growth of aquatic plants, decreasing spawning areas and habitats for fish. Wildlife living around the rivers can be
killed by eating or becoming entangled in floating trash. In FY 1991, the Environmental Protection Agency awarded the D.C.
Department of Public Works a 104 (b)(3) grant for a demonstration program to evaluate methods for removing floating debris in
the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers. The project period ran from October 1,1991 to September 30,1993, and was funded entirely
with 104 (b)(3) funds.
The goals of the project were to determine the severity of the floating trash problem, to establish the locations of the
main sources of trash and to evaluate various equipment and methods for removing floating trash and debris from the rivers. In
addition, a permanent program for floating debris control for the District of Columbia was to be created.
Preliminary studies looked at control measures used in other jurisdictions and their applicability in the study area.
Factors which were considered included the cost effectiveness of the various methods. At the beginning of the project, observers
in boats patrolled the study area and saw large amounts of floating trash. Marina operators, fishers, boaters and residents were
also encouraged to fill out survey forms on possible sources of trash.
The study area was large with approximately 8 square miles of water surface and 60 miles of shoreline. The sewer
outfalls and streams that drain into the rivers were surveyed. There are about 145 storm sewer outfalls and 60 combined sewer
outfalls in the District. The separate storm sewer system, combined sewer system and Anacostia tributaries carry trash and debris
into the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers after significant rain storms. Due to the size of the study area, trash and debris needed to
be concentrated in various areas until it could be removed. Debris booms were the most cost effective and reasonable solution.
Booms cost around $12/ft and are easy to install and move around. The trash collected by the booms was then picked up by a
trash skimmer or similar boat. The trash skimmer collects solid debris floating on top or just below the surface of the water. A
conveyor system on the trash skimmer picks up trash and debris and later delivers it to an offloading conveyor located at the dock,
which transfers the trash to a dumpster for later disposal.
During the course of this project, several boats, an amphibious vehicle and several different types of booms were
evaluated and compared. The results are documented in the final report. A total of 185 tons of debris including 3600 tires were
removed from the study area and a permanent program, the Boating Debris Control Branch, part of the Water and Sewer Utility
Administration, Bureau of Sewer Services has been established. To date, the District is the only jurisdiction in the Anacostia
watershed to fund a permanent, full-time floating debris removal program for the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers. For more
information contact: Emmett D. Durrum at (202) 939-8115.
"Clean Water... A Better Environment"
Office of Wastewater Enforcement and Compliance (OWEC)
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