Water Quality: Protecting the Anacostia River from Stormwater Runoff and Pollution from Building Materials

Executive Summary

In recent years, the Anacostia River’s water quality has improved despite unprecedented wet seasons that are conducive to water pollution. However, the RFK Stadium redevelopment proposes the construction of a covered-roof stadium, office buildings, hotels, and more. These impermeable surfaces will enable stormwater runoff and urban pollutants (e.g. oil, grease, and trash) to move more easily into the Anacostia River. To ensure that Ward 7 residents and the Anacostia River are safe from pollution and flooding, the DC Council must require the developers to adopt the three policies set forth in this policy brief.
 

Policy Recommendation #1: Manage stormwater runoff through low-impact development best practices

• Preserve the floodplain so it may continue capturing and treating stormwater naturally.
• Prioritize stormwater management before, during, and after development occurs.
• Implement Low Impact Development (LID) best practices that mimic natural processes, such as:
  • Only using permeable pavement which can capture, detain, and infiltrate stormwater runoff and minimize downstream pollution.
  • Removing the existing impermeable surfaces on-site to reduce flooding and enable stormwater pollutants to infiltrate the ground.
  • Planting natural buffers extending at least 60 feet wide along the riverbanks to protect against erosion and filter out urban pollutants.
  • Harvesting and reusing stormwater to prevent potential flooding and the spread of urban pollutants.
     

Policy Recommendation #2: Only use building materials that are non-toxic and not carbon intensive

• Avoid using any building materials listed in the International Living Future Institute’s Red List of over 12,000 of the worst chemicals used in the building industry. Aligning construction with this list will protect soil and water against chemical contamination.
• Do not use artificial turfs and instead use natural grass in the stadium. Artificial turfs contain PFAs which are pervasive “forever chemicals” that are linked to severe health risks like cancer and liver damage.
• Abstain from using carbon-intensive building materials and instead use renewable ones. For example, developers can reduce their carbon footprint by using the cyclopean concrete method, which uses boulder excavated from the site for the raft foundation. Practices like this will reduce the RFK Stadium’s contributions to climate change, which is the cause of intensifying rainfalls, floods, and pollution in Ward 7 and D.C.
   

Policy Recommendation #3: Water fixtures and faucets shall be high-efficiency and designed for conservation.

• Install EPA WaterSense-labeled water fixtures to conserve water and reduce wastewater volumes. Using high-efficiency toilets, faucets, and irrigation controllers will conserve millions of gallons of water, thus limiting the amount of water requiring treatment.
   

Bottom Line
Developers should implement LID best practices, avoid using non-toxic and carbon-intensive building materials, and install high-efficiency toilets, faucets, and irrigation controllers. Committing to these practices will minimize any environmental or health harms posed by the RFK Stadium redevelopment, ensuring the well-being and safety of Ward 7 residents and their community.

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Written by: Cody Austin

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