Sewage Spill Contaminates Potomac River After Wipes Clog Pumps

DC Water says 600,000 gallons of raw sewage were released into the river due to a massive clog of non-disposable wipes.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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A sewage spill in the Potomac River has released 600,000 gallons of raw sewage into the waterway, caused by a clog of non-disposable wipes that disabled two of the pumps used to divert the sewage. This is the second such incident in recent weeks, and DC Water has acknowledged issues with their own testing data that underestimated the level of bacteria and E. coli in the river.

Why it matters

The Potomac River is a vital natural resource for the Washington, D.C. region, providing drinking water and recreational opportunities. Sewage spills pose serious health risks and environmental damage, highlighting the need for better infrastructure and public education around proper waste disposal.

The details

The latest spill occurred on Sunday when a massive clog of non-disposable wipes disabled two of the pumps used by DC Water to divert sewage away from the Potomac River. This came as the system was already struggling to keep up with heavy flows, leading to an overflow of 600,000 gallons of raw sewage into the river. DC Water also acknowledged issues with their own testing data, which had significantly underestimated the levels of bacteria and E. coli in the river.

  • The initial sewage spill in the Potomac River occurred a few weeks ago.
  • The latest 600,000 gallon spill happened on Sunday.

The players

DC Water

The water utility responsible for managing the sewage system and responding to spills in the Washington, D.C. region.

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What’s next

DC Water is working with a firm to develop a plan to remediate the area affected by the spill, but it will be weeks before the pipeline is fully repaired.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for better infrastructure, public education, and oversight to prevent sewage spills that threaten the health of the Potomac River and the surrounding communities that rely on it.