DC Water and its contractor have successfully excavated around the damaged section of the Potomac Interceptor, a sanitary sewer line that collapsed on January 19 and overflowed into the Potomac River. For the second straight day, there have been no sewer overflows from the damaged pipe along Clara Barton Parkway, the I-495 interchange, and the C & O Canal National Historical Park.

While overflow from the pipe is contained for now, eliminating both wet and dry overflows will require restoring full flow through the sewer line. A trench box, designed to prevent erosion and contain overflow, was installed around the damaged pipe, stabilizing the surrounding soil. During excavation at the collapse site, an isolated amount of wastewater may be released. Bypass pumps remain in continuous operation, diverting wastewater away from the break site and back into the Potomac Interceptor further downstream.

With the collapse site now isolated and the area secured, preparations are underway to begin clearing the blockage in the damaged pipe section tomorrow. Industrial vacuums will remove debris and obstructions, allowing wastewater at the collapse site to draw down and return flow into the sewer line. This is a key step to access the pipe 16 feet below ground, assess the damage, and plan necessary repairs.

As work progresses at the site, efforts are underway to begin the environmental assessment and cleanup. DC Water is performing water quality sampling and surveying the areas impacted by the overflow into the Potomac, working in coordination with federal, state, and local partners to evaluate environmental effects and determine appropriate remediation measures.

The full cost of cleanup and remediation is still being determined. DC Water will cover the expenses, which will be shared among wholesale customers—WSSC Water, Loudoun County, and Fairfax County—in proportion to their allocated pipe capacity.

The public is reminded that the incident had no impact on drinking water, which remains safe. The Washington Aqueduct’s primary intakes for drinking water are upstream from the overflow. Additionally, please observe all posted warning signs and avoid contact with affected creek beds and waterways until cleanup operations are complete.

We appreciate the public’s support and are committed to addressing concerns about the incident and its impact on the community. Significant progress has been made in the past week to contain the overflow. Updates will continue to be provided for any major changes or significant milestones in the recovery process.

For questions or concerns, contact DC Water’s Customer Care Team at (202) 354-3600 (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or the 24-Hour Command Center at (202) 612-3400.