Overview
- A 72-inch Potomac Interceptor pipe collapsed on Jan. 19 in Maryland, releasing large volumes of untreated sewage and triggering a public health advisory along affected stretches of the river.
- Water testing reported E. coli far above safety thresholds, including readings up to 60 times the recreational limit and localized results near 12,000 times state standards.
- DC Water and the National Park Service have posted warning signs and are urging people and pets to avoid river water, shorelines, and any visible sewage flows.
- Separately, WSSC Water reported 33 cold-related main breaks and asked about 1.9 million customers in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties to limit use to essentials.
- Authorities report no boil-water order and say tap water remains safe, while extreme cold hampers repairs and experts caution that contamination trapped in ice could be released when temperatures rise.