AlexRenew’s History
Then
1700s thru the late-1930s
The entire National Capital region handled its waste by dumping it directly into the Potomac River and its streams and tributaries. There was even an outhouse overlooking the river at the end of Queen Street during this time. The untreated sewage posed an enormous public health threat, with cholera, hepatitis and dysentery just some of the diseases associated with untreated sewage.
1949
The Izaak Walton League produced a film showing water conditions around Alexandria. Raw sewage flowed directly into Four Mile Run, Hunting Creek, Hooffs Run, and ultimately into the Potomac River. The “highlights”: clogged tributaries, bubbling waste in discolored waters, shorelines devoid of wildlife, and tests showing dozens of disease-causing pathogens. The water pollution was so bad that people up in airplanes could look down and see the sludge.
1952
The Alexandria City Council created the City of Alexandria Virginia Sanitation Authority – now known as AlexRenew – for the purpose of constructing, operating and maintaining a sewage disposal system to serve Alexandria and portions of Fairfax County.
1956
The original plant went into service as an 18 MGD trickling filter plant and interceptor system, and the first sewage was treated.
Late 1970’s and 80’s
The plant was upgraded to include tertiary treatment and expanded to a design capacity of 54 MGD.
1999 to 2005
Comprehensive facility upgrade provided biological nitrogen removal…
Now
Today
Starting construction on SANUP to meet even lower Total Nitrogen permit limits required by EPA and Virginia DEQ.
We’ve come a long way since AlexRenew was formed in 1952. As we enter our 55th year of operations we are just as committed to the environment and our people. Now we are looking to the future, designing upgrades that will continue to position us as an environmental steward, good neighbor and industry leader.
