George Hawkins, General Manager of DC Water, has launched an ambitious agenda at DC Water that compliments a 10-year program to improve aging infrastructure and comply with ever more stringent regulatory requirements. DC Water is designing and implementing the Clean Rivers Project to nearly eliminate overflows of sewage and stormwater to the Anacostia, Potomac and Rock Creek. They are also investing $950 million to achieve the next level of nutrient reductions and help restore the Chesapeake Bay. In addition, DC Water is implementing a $400 million digester program to help manage solids from reclaimed water that will become the region's biggest source of renewable energy, reduce the volume of biosolids by almost half, and disinfect the biosolids to be clean enough to sell as fertilizer at retail stores. Mr. Hawkins has also gained approval from the Board of Directors to triple the rate to replace water and sewer infrastructure. Prior to joining DC Water, Mr. Hawkins served as Director of the District Department of the Environment (DDOE), and was Executive Director of New Jersey Future, a non-profit organization which, under his leadership, came to be recognized as the state's foremost advocacy group promoting smart growth. Mr. Hawkins began his career practicing law for the Boston firm Ropes & Gray, and is a member of the Bar in Massachusetts and the District of Columbia.
