Get Involved :: Stormwater Management
Note: if you are interested in getting involved with the Waverly Hills Civic Association Stormwater Management committee, please send an email to whca-stormwater@googlegroups.com
Approximately 44 percent of the County’s land is impervious. Impervious surfaces, like roads, sidewalks and buildings, don’t allow water to soak into the ground. In the early decades of Arlington’s expansion (1930-60s), there was very limited regulation for development. The natural stream network served as the stormwater management system. But as swift development caused stream erosion and gullies, streams and floodplains were filled in or paved over. 66% of streams were encased in stormwater pipes. The stream network could no longer convey flood waters safely during storms.
The County’s original storm sewer pipe network was designed for approximately a 10 year storm. Current building standards require that overland relief be required in addition to the pipe network, to provide a safe flow path for water to the nearest stream when a storm exceeds the capacity of the pipe network. However, in in some places in Arlington, overland relief was not required at the time of development, and homes were built near the location of the former streams (now encased in storm sewer pipes).
Arlington’s stormwater programs are part of the Office of Sustainabilty and Environmental Management in DES, including water quality regulations, planning engineering, construction, stormwater infrastructure, and incentive and outreach programs.
Arlington County maintains a variety of different web pages on stormwater management, stormwater projects, and of particular note in Waverly Hills, a voluntary property acquisition program to reduce flood risk. Waverly Hills has established a Stormwater Management Committee to help keep the neighborhood informed and consolidate feedback for the county. Reference links for individual property projects are also provided below.
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4434 19th St North: Project site
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4437 18th St North: Project site
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4423 18th St North: Project site
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4433 18th St North: Project site
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Arlington County Streams and Watershed Map
