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8h ago

Officials Outline Nine-Month Repair Plan as Potomac Sewage Spill Triggers Virginia Advisory

Virginia issued a broad recreational advisory after tests found dangerous bacteria near the collapse site.

Water samples are taken from the Potomac River, Friday, Jan. 23, 2026 in Glen Echo, Md. A massive pipe that moves millions of gallons of sewage has ruptured and sent wastewater flowing into the Potomac River northwest of Washington, polluting it ahead of a major winter storm that has repair crews scrambling. (AP Photo/Nathan Ellgren)
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Potomac River Keeper Dean Naujoks, holds a biohazard collection bag while standing alongside the site where a massive pipe rupture has sent sewage spilling into the Potomac River, Friday, Jan. 23, 2026 in Glen Echo, Md. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
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Overview

  • DC Water told Maryland lawmakers the permanent sliplining fix is expected to take about nine months, with bulkhead isolation targeted within four to six weeks.
  • An estimated 243 million gallons of raw sewage have overflowed since Jan. 19, which experts say ranks among the largest U.S. wastewater spills.
  • Crews are building a bulkhead near I-495 and have added roughly 100 million gallons per day of pumping capacity to reduce discharges to the river.
  • Sampling has detected elevated E. coli and the presence of Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA at several locations, prompting Maryland advisories and precautionary shellfish closures alongside Virginia’s recreational warning.
  • A Feb. 8 incident released about 600,000 additional gallons after temporary pumps clogged with non-disposable wipes, while officials report no evidence of impacts to drinking water supplies.