In a concerning environmental incident, millions of gallons of raw sewage have spilled into the Potomac River northwest of Washington D.C., raising significant pollution concerns as the region braces for a major winter storm. The rupture of a 72-inch sewer pipe has prompted a desperate race against time to contain the fallout.
The incident, which occurred late on Monday, saw the collapse of the massive sewer pipe, unleashing a torrent of untreated wastewater directly into the river. DC Water, the system’s operator, is now working to divert the sewage around the rupture site, allowing repair crews to commence their work.
Describing the scene as “dire,” Potomac Riverkeeper Dean Naujoks painted a grim picture. “Oh my god, the smell is horrific,” he stated. “It’s such high concentrations of sewage that just grabbing a sample is a public health risk.” DC Water has advised anyone exposed to the contaminated water to thoroughly wash their skin.
The spill took place in Montgomery County, Maryland, near the Clara Barton Parkway and the C&O Canal National Historic Park. Crews are now removing lock gates on the canal to facilitate a temporary rerouting of the sewage upstream, before it is directed back into the sewer system downstream of the rupture.
Despite the looming winter storm, repair efforts are expected to continue throughout the weekend. Naujoks, who inspected the site on Wednesday, expressed his shock at the unusually low water levels in the river. “Sewage is just bubbling up like a small geyser, maybe two, three feet into the air,” he observed. “Sewage water is running in every direction.”
This incident underscores a national challenge, with hundreds of billions of pounds needed in infrastructure investment over the next two decades to address issues like aging sewer pipes and prevent persistent breaks that can lead to home backups and regular flooding.
The District of Columbia Health Department has yet to comment on whether testing of the river’s water is underway. As the clean-up efforts continue, the environmental impact of this sewage spill remains a pressing concern for the local community and authorities.
