Ruptured Pipe Fixed After Spilling Wastewater Into Potomac

Crews worked around the clock to repair the sewage line and prevent further contamination of the river.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 6:18pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The sewage pipe rupture that caused millions of gallons of untreated sewage to flow into the Potomac River has been repaired, according to DC Water. The underground sewer line, known as the Potomac Interceptor, ruptured on January 19, sending over 200 million gallons of wastewater into the river just north of Washington, D.C. for five days. A temporary bypass pipeline was built to prevent more contamination, and now the main pipe has been fixed and is back in operation.

Why it matters

The Potomac Interceptor is a critical piece of infrastructure that carries up to 60 million gallons of wastewater every day from parts of Virginia and Maryland to a D.C. wastewater treatment plant. The rupture and subsequent sewage spill had major environmental impacts on the Potomac River and the surrounding areas, prompting a federal emergency response and ongoing cleanup efforts.

The details

DC Water reported that two months after the Potomac Interceptor broke, the underground sewer line is back in operation. Testing early Saturday confirmed that returning flow to the Potomac Interceptor could safely be done, so DC Water removed the bulkhead gate blocking flow into the broken pipe. The sanitary sewer line carries wastewater to a D.C. treatment plant, and the rupture sent over 200 million gallons of untreated sewage into the Potomac River for five days.

  • The Potomac Interceptor ruptured on January 19, 2026.
  • The pipe was repaired and returned to operation on March 14, 2026.

The players

DC Water

The authority that runs Washington's water and sewage systems.

Muriel Bowser

The mayor of Washington, D.C. who declared an emergency and requested federal disaster assistance.

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who tapped the Environmental Protection Agency to lead the federal response, including relief efforts led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

DC Water will host two community meetings in the coming days to discuss the Potomac Interceptor repair and ongoing environmental rehabilitation efforts along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal and the Potomac River.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the critical importance of maintaining and repairing aging water infrastructure, as well as the significant environmental and public health risks posed by sewage spills. The swift federal response and ongoing cleanup efforts demonstrate the seriousness with which officials are treating this environmental disaster.