Potomac River Faces Another Sewage Spill, Raising E. Coli Levels

DC Water says a limited overflow was contained on-site, but downstream water quality remains a concern.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Just days after a major sewage overflow sent bacteria levels soaring along the Potomac River, DC Water has reported another overflow incident. While this latest spill was contained on-site and did not directly enter the river, elevated E. coli levels have still been detected downstream, prompting ongoing water quality testing and concerns about the aging sewer infrastructure.

Why it matters

The Potomac River is a vital natural resource for the Washington, D.C. region, providing drinking water, recreation, and supporting local ecosystems. Repeated sewage spills threaten public health, wildlife, and the overall health of the river, highlighting the need for infrastructure improvements and better safeguards to prevent such incidents.

The details

The latest overflow occurred when two bypass pumps at the collapse site clogged with non-disposable wipes, temporarily exceeding the system's pumping capacity. While the overflow was contained on-site, water quality testing has detected elevated E. coli levels near the drainage channel where wastewater enters the Potomac. Downstream locations, including Georgetown, National Harbor, and Anacostia, have tested within acceptable ranges so far.

  • On February 9, E. coli levels near the drainage channel peaked at 730,000 MPN per 100 mL, far above the EPA's 420 MPN per 100 mL recreational threshold.
  • The latest overflow incident occurred earlier this week, when two bypass pumps clogged and caused a temporary exceedance of the system's pumping capacity.

The players

DC Water

The public utility responsible for water and sewer services in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

Potomac River

A major river that flows into the Chesapeake Bay, providing drinking water, recreation, and supporting local ecosystems in the Washington, D.C. region.

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What’s next

DC Water says the investigation and repair work on the damaged Potomac Interceptor pipe remain ongoing, with a focus on installing additional bypass pumps and inserting a bulkhead to block the flow and allow for safe removal of a rock dam blocking the damaged section.

The takeaway

This latest sewage spill highlights the ongoing challenges facing the region's aging sewer infrastructure and the need for continued investment and improvements to protect the Potomac River and public health. As the investigation and repair work continue, officials will need to closely monitor water quality and communicate transparently with the community to ensure the safety of recreational activities and the overall health of this vital natural resource.