The Chesapeake Bay, Potomac and Anacostia Rivers, and local waterways are critical to metropolitan Washington’s environment and economy as well as the health and safety of the region’s residents. COG’s Water Resources Program assists local government members, and affiliated wastewater treatment and drinking water utilities, with protecting, restoring, and conserving these resources. The program also helps them address the policy and technical implications of various state and federal initiatives that have water quality and water resource implications for the region.
COG’s Regional Water Quality Management Program (RWQM) addresses a wide range of technical and policy issues that affect the tidal estuary portion of the Upper Potomac River and its tributaries, and that may have implications for the region’s water quality and water resources. COG supports the Chesapeake Bay and Water Resources Policy Committee (CBPC) and the Water Resources Technical Committee (WRTC), by providing up-to-date information, analysis, and forums to address key topics such as:
COG’s Urban Watershed Programs includes regional stormwater support, and the Anacostia Restoration Program (ARP) that supports the Anacostia Watershed Restoration Partnership and Steering Committee. COG’s Drinking Water and Drought Monitoring Program supports issues of importance and impact to local drinking water and wastewater utilities including water supply and drought response and water security monitoring.
COG also provides technical and policy support and coordination among the Parties to the 2012 Blue Plains Intermunicipal Agreement (IMA) through the Blue Plains Regional Committee. Blue Plains is the largest wastewater treatment plant in the region.
News & Multimedia
-
News
April 15, 2014
Water specifically metropolitan Washington’s drinking water system was the focus of the Council of Governments’ first in-depth discussion on regional...
-
News
March 12, 2014
COG staff spoke with a reporter from WAMU on their experience in West Virginia described in the blog below. Click here to read and listen to the story...
-
News
February 25, 2014
When heavy rain falls on the Washington region, the runoff from impermeable surfaces like roadways and sidewalks can carry trash, sediment, oil, bacteria, and...
-
News
February 19, 2014
At its February meeting, the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) adopted a Green Streets Policy for the National Capital Region, which...
-
News
January 28, 2014
One approach to ensuring a healthier environment in the District of Columbia and our local waters involves constructing enormous tunnels to collect...