DC Water now uses biodiesel fuel to fuel all 230 of its diesel vehicles, including sewer trucks, utility and dump trucks, crane trucks, and crew cabs. The agency uses a B-20 blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel.

In switching to their fuel source, the agency has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions, including a 15% reduction in carbon dioxide, a 12% reduction in carbon monoxide, and a 12% reduction in particulate matter compared to using petroleum diesel alone. DC Water first made the switch about a year ago.

Director of Fleet Management Timothy Fitzgerald is a biodiesel ambassador for the National Biodiesel Board. In addition to adopting biodiesel, the fleet division uses soy-biobased products in the shop including hydraulic fluid, hand cleaner, grease, and engine oil.