DC Water, National Park Service, Community Groups Celebrate Fresh Air Along Potomac Interceptor

May 30, 2013

It’s been more than a decade in the making but the day has finally arrived. Join DC Water, the National Park Service and various community groups as they cut the ribbon on a series of odor scrubbing facilities that keep the air fresh along the Potomac Interceptor Sewer and C&O Canal. The facilities are enabling DC Water to remove the majority of the vents along the Potomac Interceptor that vent sewer gases to the air. Already, half the vents have been closed.

Visuals include new facilities, a ribbon-cutting and the scenic C&O Canal.

Who:
• DC Water Board Chairman Allen Y. Lew
• DC Water Board Member and Montgomery County Department of
Environmental Protection Special Assistant David W. Lake
• DC Water General Manager George S. Hawkins
• National Park Service Superintendent Kevin Brandt
• Cabin John Citizens Association President Burr Gray

When: Tuesday, June 4, 2013
11:00 a.m. Speaking Program
11:30 a.m. Ribbon-cutting and tour of odor scrubbing technology

Where: Fletcher’s Boathouse
4940 Canal Road, NW
Washington, DC
Limited parking for live feed trucks at the site.

Latest News

Workers manually removing soil between the locks

Work is progressing on the clean-up for the C & O Canal which was used as a bypass while the Potomac Interceptor was repaired. Workers are focused on removing sludge between locks 11 and 12. Soil removal is also nearly complete between locks 12 and 14, reaching the canal's clay liner. Workers are now manually removing additional materials in some areas.

Excavators in the canal digging up soil and another excavator removing the soil to a dump truck to be hauled away

DC Water and its contractor have made significant progress on soil removal, reaching the clay liner between locks 13 and 14 of the C & O Canal, which was used as a bypass for wastewater during the Potomac Interceptor repairs.

Work continues to remove sludge between locks 10 and 13, which is expected to be completed by mid- to late-April. The soil will then be removed down to the clay liner as the final step, and the canal reconstructed to meet National Park Service specifications.

Soil Removal Underway with Excavator in Canal

Today, DC Water and its contractors began removing contaminated soil between locks 13 and 14 in the C & O Canal, which was used as a temporary bypass during the Potomac Interceptor repair effort. Clean-up efforts are ongoing at Lock 10 with work to remove sludge now getting underway between locks 11 and 13.

Upcoming Meeting

Board of Directors Meeting

April 24, 2023

Monday 9:00 AM

Announcement

Picture of new bike pedestrian path and traffic detour
New Path for Capital Crescent Trail Opens at Georgetown Waterfront Park

DC CLEAN RIVERS – POTOMAC RIVER TUNNEL PROJECT
If you bike, drive, or walk through Georgetown, we’ve got changes starting this week around the Potomac River Tunnel construction on Water Street NW. The Capital Crescent Trail has a new temporary detour through Georgetown Waterfront Park, open now for cyclists between 33rd and Potomac streets NW.

Latest Blog Post
A helicopter lowers a drill rig to workers on the Potomac River.
DC Water begins drilling in Potomac River to explore options to rehab underwater sewer line
When one of your major sewer lines runs through the Potomac River, a backhoe and trencher won't do. That's why we've got helicopters carrying a 14-ton drill and workers suspended midair over the Potomac.
Upcoming Meeting
Date
April 10, 2026
Friday, 9:30 AM

Customer Service Center Announcement

Payment Plan Incentive: provides a credit back of 50% of the last 3 payments made. Eligible participants are residential customers who have had an outstanding balance for 60 days or greater and with an outstanding balance of $500 or more.