Washington Aqueduct: Serving Our Nation's Capital for Over 150 Years

Abstract

Throughout its History, the Washington Aqueduct has Retained its Historic Character, Standing as a Testament to the Longevity of Great Engineering Works.

McMillan Water Treatment Plant DC: embedding culture in civil engineering

“…Washington, DC has historically been plagued by poor drinking water quality. From its founding the city relied on wells, springs, and cisterns for drinking water [1]. Union troops stationed in Washington during the Civil War suffered from waterborne diseases.…”

“…Originally, the city mains were fed from here. However, the turbidity of the Potomac water along with the occasional small fish, resulted in many continuing to use contaminated wells and springs [1]. The first stage of the Washington Aqueduct solved the quantity of water problem, but the water quality problem remained.…”

“…The third component again includes pre-reading, this time on the McMillan WTP [1,4,7]. The students take a field trip to the McMillan WTP to tour both the operating rapid sand filter WTP and a cell of the retired slow sand filter WTP.…”