A massive sewage spill is contaminating the Potomac River northwest of Washington, D.C., after a critical 72-inch sewer pipe ruptured, releasing an estimated 40 million gallons of wastewater daily. The incident, which began late Monday, has turned parts of the river gray and poses severe environmental and public health risks, with authorities urging the public to avoid the area.
The rupture occurred in Montgomery County, Maryland, along Clara Barton Parkway near the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park. A 72-inch diameter pipe, part of the Potomac Interceptor system installed in the 1960s, collapsed, shooting sewage out of the ground and into the river. DC Water, the utility responsible, discovered the overflow on January 19 and has been providing daily updates since.
The scale of the spill is staggering, with enough sewage flowing each day to fill approximately 66 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Dean Naujoks of the Potomac Riverkeeper described the smell as “horrific” and noted that the high concentrations of sewage make even sampling the water a public health risk. Associated Press video from the scene showed warning signs reading “DANGER” and “Raw Sewage,” emphasizing the immediate hazards.
In response, DC Water is hooking up pumps to divert the sewage around the rupture and into the C&O Canal, where it will be rerouted back into the sewer system downstream. Crews are working through the weekend, despite forecasts of a major winter storm that could complicate repairs. The utility hopes to have the bypass system operational by Monday, but heavy rainfall could overwhelm the pumps.
Environmental concerns are heightened as the spill occurs during a period of low river levels, concentrating the pollutants. Naujoks observed sewage bubbling up like a small geyser, two to three feet into the air, with wastewater flowing in every direction. The District of Columbia Department of the Environment and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are coordinating to assess the impact, though initial reports indicate no threat to drinking water, which is on a separate system.
This incident highlights broader issues with aging water infrastructure in the United States. DC Water had identified the pipeline as deteriorating and had begun rehabilitation work on a nearby section in September. Gary Belan of American Rivers pointed out a huge funding gap for water infrastructure, noting that such failures are becoming more common as maintenance is deferred. Nationally, hundreds of billions of dollars are needed over the next two decades to address similar clean water problems.
Officials, including Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser, have acknowledged the spill but are focusing on the emergency response. The EPA is overseeing efforts under a 2015 consent decree, and daily monitoring continues. As repair crews race against time and weather, this event serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for investment in critical infrastructure to prevent future environmental disasters.
