Arlington’s internal auditor is continuing to review the county’s response to flash floods in 2019 and resulting efforts to improve stormwater infrastructure.
This is one of several audits that auditor Wayne Scott and his deputy, Shirley Brothwell, will work on during the fiscal year that begins July 1.
An audit of stormwater improvements was part of Scott’s fiscal year 2026 work plan, and efforts to complete the investigation will carry over into the new fiscal year. It is expected to conclude by Oct. 1, according to the timetable laid out at the June 17 meeting.
County Board members on June 17 approved the annual work plan as submitted by Scott.
Board member Susan Cunningham, who serves on the Audit Committee, said that the office had “struggled with staff bandwidth” that may have slowed progress on some investigations. County Board members have promised a third staff position for the auditor’s office, but have not yet funded it.
The July 8, 2019, morning event was described by the National Weather Service as an “extraordinarily dangerous” flash-flood incident. The impact zone included Arlington, Alexandria, portions of eastern Fairfax County and most of D.C.
In Arlington, Westover was among areas hardest hit. Reagan National Airport recorded 3.3 inches of rain in a single hour.
In response, the county government undertook a number of short-term to long-term efforts to mitigate impacts of similar future storms.
Efforts have included improving stormwater-system capacity, increasing stormwater requirements on new development and purchasing properties in flood-prone areas.
The county’s stormwater system includes 10,000 storm drains and more than 300 miles of storm sewers, county officials say, as well as 33 miles of natural stream channels.
The timeline for the stormwater audit and others in the FY27 work plan “are not in stone — the parameters remain fluid,” said Scott, who has served as county auditor since 2024.
He plans to present the package to members of the county’s Audit Committee on June 25.
“We will solicit some of their input and feedback,” Scott said.
DES receives national accreditation: The Arlington government’s Department of Environmental Services (DES) has received accreditation status from the American Public Works Association.
It is the result of a seven-year effort to meet best practices for public-works services and infrastructure.
Accreditation “reflects our focus on making Arlington vibrant, accessible and sustainable,” DES director Greg Emanuel said.
“By holding ourselves to such rigorous industry standards, DES ensures its services are delivered with integrity and remain resilient, innovative and forward-thinking,” he said.
Jeffery Brown, Region III director for the American Public Works Association, said accreditation “is the mark of professionalism, indicating a public works agency has made the commitment to continuous improvement.”
