Sanitary Sewer Serving Del Ray To Get Major Renovations

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Work to repair the sanitary sewer system in Del Ray and surrounding areas will begin this fall, according to the City of Alexandria.

The renovations are part of the city's Sanitary Sewer Asset Renewal Program, where all city sanitary sewers, manholes and city-owned lateral sewers are inspected and fixed. Out of 165 pipes and 122 manholes inspected last year, about 20 percent were found to have structural defects and other issues that allow infiltration and inflow to enter the system.

According to the city, repairs will reduce the chance of infiltration and inflow into the system, renews the existing sewer pipes and extends their useful life, and protects against pipe collapses and other emergency repairs that can be costly.

The city says the repairs may not be enough to prevent sanitary sewer back-ups during extreme rainy weather. There is a reimbursement program for homeowners who install sewer backflow preventer devices in their homes to help against sewer backups. The city reimburses 50 percent of costs with a maximum of $2,000.

Upcoming repair work will happen east of Commonwealth Avenue in the Del Ray, Lynhaven, and Rosemont neighborhoods. Residents can learn more about the upcoming work during a public meeting Thursday, October 12 at 7 p.m., at City Hall (301 King St.) or through Zoom.