Potomac Sewer Break and DC Water Response

Last Updated: February 19, 2026

I share the concerns of residents who have reached out about the sewer pipe failure near Cabin John and its impacts on the Potomac River. The Council continues to receive regular updates from DC Water, and the situation remains under control.

Current System Status

A temporary bypass system is successfully diverting wastewater around the damaged pipe and carrying it safely to the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant.

• No overflow events impacting surface waters have been reported since February 9.
• Six of the seven high-capacity bypass pumps are operational, with the final pump expected shortly.
• Crews are continuing to test and optimize the system while performing preventative maintenance to ensure reliability.

 

Drinking Water and Water Quality

Drinking water in the District remains safe. The District’s intake is located upstream of the affected area and continues to meet all federal and local safety standards.

The District Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), in coordination with EPA and Maryland environmental officials, has conducted additional monitoring. To date, DOEE reports that E. coli levels in the District are below EPA thresholds for full recreational contact.

However, residents and their pets should continue to avoid contact with the river until longer-term sampling confirms continued safety.

Repair and Restoration

As stabilization continues, the focus will shift to permanent repair and restoration. Once the enhanced bypass system is fully operational, crews will begin excavation around the collapse site to assess the damage, remove debris, and begin permanent repairs.

Mayor’s Emergency Declaration and Federal Support Request

In response to the incident, Mayor Bowser declared a local public emergency and has requested a Presidential Emergency Disaster Declaration.

The request seeks:

• Federal coordination through FEMA
• Additional technical and testing assistance
• Engineering support
• A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers assessment of the Little Falls intake and Dalecarlia Treatment Plant to evaluate water quality protection, treatment capacity, backup power, and operational resilience

 

Long-Term Resilience and Infrastructure

The Mayor’s request also addresses long-term resilience. It calls for:

• Accelerating capital improvements to the Washington Aqueduct
• Supporting DC Water’s Clean Rivers Project
• Collaborating with federal agencies to remediate impacted portions of the C&O Canal and adjacent federal lands
• Restoring funding for flood protection improvements at the Blue Plains facility

 

These investments are critical to protecting both District and federal infrastructure.

Prevention and Oversight

Prevention remains a top priority. The pipe that failed was more than 50 years old and had been slated for reinforcement as part of DC Water’s capital improvement program.

During the Council briefing, I asked DC Water about inspection protocols and how similar vulnerabilities will be identified across the system. They are continuing inspections, monitoring, and infrastructure upgrades to strengthen long-term reliability.

More Information

Information about the Potomac Interceptor Collapse, including all updates and water quality sampling results, is available at: dcwater.com/potomac-interceptor-collapse