Aging Sewage Infrastructure Causes Spills Across U.S. Cities

Crumbling pipes and lack of funding lead to thousands of sewage overflows annually, contaminating waterways and flooding homes

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Across the United States, aging and failing sewage infrastructure is causing thousands of sewage overflows each year, contaminating rivers, flooding streets, and sometimes backing up into homes. A historic 244 million gallon spill into the Potomac River in January highlighted the severe consequences of this problem, but smaller spills happen regularly in cities like Baltimore, Houston, and Cahokia Heights, Illinois. Experts say the issue is exacerbated by climate change and lack of funding for necessary upgrades, with hundreds of billions needed over the next two decades.

Why it matters

Sewage overflows pose serious public health and environmental risks, contaminating waterways and exposing residents to harmful bacteria. The problem disproportionately impacts low-income and minority communities that often lack the resources to address aging infrastructure. Addressing this crisis will require significant investment from federal, state, and local governments.

The details

The January collapse of a pipe as wide as a car in Washington, D.C. dumped 244 million gallons of sewage into the Potomac River, causing a spike in bacteria levels. This was an extreme example, but smaller sewage overflows happen regularly across the country, often due to cracked and leaking pipes, tree roots, or severe storms. At least 18.7 million people are served by utilities in serious violation of pollution limits, and 2.7 million live with systems that have violated clean water rules for the past three years. Cities like Baltimore, Houston, and Cahokia Heights, Illinois have reached court agreements to address their sewage overflow problems.

  • In January 2026, a 244 million gallon sewage spill occurred in the Potomac River near Washington, D.C.
  • Over the past year, roughly 15 million gallons of sewage have spilled in Baltimore, Maryland.

The players

Potomac River

A major river that flows through the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

Baltimore Department of Public Works

The city agency responsible for managing Baltimore's aging sewer system, which has seen hundreds of overflows in recent years.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The federal agency that regulates water pollution and has extended deadlines for states to report sewage overflows.

Teddy Bloomquist

A Baltimore resident who has experienced multiple sewage backups in his home due to the city's crumbling infrastructure.

Alice Volpitta

The Baltimore Harbor waterkeeper with the nonprofit Blue Water Baltimore, who says sewage overflows are an "out of sight, out of mind" problem.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We're going to see probably more incidents like we saw with the Potomac sewage spill.”

— Becky Hammer, Senior Attorney, Natural Resources Defense Council (ksgf.com)

“A spill that happens in a community, in somebody's house, or right next to their house — that will be a memory for them forever.”

— Sri Vedachalam, Water and Climate Expert, Corvias Infrastructure Solutions (ksgf.com)

“It's really one of those out of sight, out of mind problems that doesn't rise to the top until it becomes a crisis.”

— Alice Volpitta, Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper, Blue Water Baltimore (ksgf.com)

What’s next

Baltimore has proposed extending a deadline to complete necessary sewer system upgrades to 2046, as the city continues to work under a consent decree with federal and state regulators. The EPA has also announced $6.5 billion in funding for wastewater and drinking water projects through a loan program, along with an additional $550 million that will be distributed to states.

The takeaway

The sewage infrastructure crisis facing cities across the U.S. highlights the urgent need for significant investment in aging water systems. Without proper funding and upgrades, communities will continue to grapple with the public health and environmental consequences of sewage overflows, which disproportionately impact low-income and minority neighborhoods. Addressing this problem will require coordinated efforts at the federal, state, and local levels.