Maximizing the Benefits of Standardized Green Infrastructure During and Post Construction

Like many utilities and municipalities faced with the challenge of implementing and maintaining hundreds of green infrastructure (GI) facilities, DC Water has made significant inroads towards streamlining and standardizing its GI designs and permitting process. In the District of Columbia, District agencies had been designing and constructing GI with custom, site-specific designs. These facilities came with high design and construction costs, inefficiencies, and inconsistent designs/aesthetics, especially across the various agencies. A significant portion of the project cost for relatively small and low-cost GI facilities is often related to the design. Additionally, because DC Water sits outside the District government, GI costs are further increased due to the need to work with agencies to permit each custom-designed facility and rehabilitate surrounding portions of roadways and alleys once construction is complete. There exists significant opportunity to reduce costs through improved agency coordination and through standard design and construction. This paper explores lessons learned and innovative solutions when DC Water, in collaboration with District agencies, developed a standard design process for permeable alleyways using GIS and standard construction details.