After the raw sewage flows in the C&O Canal pass a cave-in of a 72-inch interceptor sewer, they pump the sewage back into the sewer. During the six days it took to get the pumps operational, all of the raw sewage was overflowing into the Potomac River.
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| Facebook Reel https://www.dcwater.com/about-dc-water/media/news/update-dc-water-activates-bypass-contain-wastewater-overflows-potomac |
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| dcwater The collapse occurred Jan 19, and the pumps stopped the river pollution on Jan 24. Fortunately, the intake for DC's water supply is upstream of this sewer overflow. |
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| The DMV Daily posted Repairs to a massive sewage spill contaminating the Potomac River could take weeks or even months longer than expected, according to DC Water. The spill began Jan. 19 after a 72-inch sewer pipeline, known as the Potomac Interceptor, collapsed near Glen Echo, Maryland, sending raw sewage directly into the river. DC Water estimates about 243 million gallons of wastewater equal to 368 Olympic-sized swimming pools have spilled so far, mostly in the days before emergency bypass pumping was activated. Crews later discovered a large rock and debris blockage inside the pipe, complicating repairs. Clearing the obstruction could take four to six weeks, after which the timeline for permanent repairs will be determined. While DC Water says recent testing shows E. coli levels within federal safety standards, environmental groups dispute those findings and warn the river may still be unsafe for recreation. Monitoring and cleanup efforts are ongoing. 📸: @dc.water Chad Schoelkopf: E-coli levels 4,000 times higher than a safe level and DC says they are within safe limits 😡 |
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| Kem Clawson commented on the above post We live about 20 miles down river and starting Sunday the river looked like a waste treatment facility. Now with the warmer temps it SMEELS like one. |
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| Ginger Morrison commented on the above post The levels are off the chart! |
I repeat an above statement: "DC Water says recent testing shows E. coli levels within federal safety standards." When will institutions learn to not say anything rather than tell a blatant, testable, lie?
E. coli levels over 10,000 times the recreational water quality limit have been found. "DC Water estimated that during the peak of the crisis, the pipe was discharging 40 million gallons per day for at least six days." [WUSA9_unsafe, Jan 28, 2026]
Feb 10, 2026: DC Water admits they reported incorrect E. coli levels and provides new figures.
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| dcwater_feb10 "As noted previously, data highlighted in yellow represents corrections made following a review of the sampling data that identified reporting errors. These errors were promptly corrected, and additional quality control measures have been implemented to ensure the accuracy of the data being reported." |
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| DC Water on X/Twitter "Pumping challenges continue at the damaged Potomac Interceptor. Two pumps clogged w/non-disposable wipes Monday night, causing an overflow & contained on-site. E. coli levels remain elevated at collapse site, downstream levels remain below EPA standards" |
Feb 11, 2026:
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| WUSA 9 posted Super Bowl bathroom breaks triggered a sewage overflow into the Potomac River after non-flushable wipes clogged DC Water's system: https://www.wusa9.com/.../65-bbe1af6c-6dd0-4aad-bb99... "Non-flushable wipes cause more sewage spills into Potomac River during Super Bowl" |
Some comments have wondered what the impact on the crabbing industry in the Chesapeake Bay might be.
Background
The interceptor sewer was built to support Dulles Airport and the surrounding developments.
Between 2001 and 2015, DC Water inspected the entire interceptor. "The individual pipe segments inspected indicate the majority of the pipe segments show signs of corrosion, and some show settled deposits." [dcwater_inspections]
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| dcwater_PI |
Between 2001 and 2015, DC Water inspected the entire interceptor. "The individual pipe segments inspected indicate the majority of the pipe segments show signs of corrosion, and some show settled deposits." [dcwater_inspections]
They have been working on repairs. In fact, they worked on a segment just upstream of the collapse.
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| dcwater_high_priority via dcwater_PI |
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The webpage about the inspections contains:
Information about specific rehabilitation efforts is available under the Projects section of this website, including:
But when I tried accessing either of those links, I got:
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| Either of the above two links. |
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