DC Water issues a statement in response to complaints filed by the Maryland Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Justice on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency about the Potomac Interceptor sewer overflow into the Potomac River on January 19, 2026.
Potomac Water Quality Report 💧
Weekend sampling remained within typical ranges and daily results are back to green across all locations.
Conditions can fluctuate, but overall results show a return to acceptable recreation levels across the Potomac.
We’ve been honored with the “Green Bond of the Year - US Muni Bond” award by Environmental Finance. During Earth Month, this recognition emphasizes our role in funding vital green infrastructure and investing in clean water that protects public health. 🔗 www.dcwater.com/about-dc-wat...
Weekend plans loading… here’s your water update 💧
Most sites remain within the typical recreation range, with some normal variability at select downstream locations.
Last Friday at Bancroft Elementary 💧
Students got a hands-on look at the trucks and tools that keep things running.
From our VAC truck to our sewer robot and backhoe, it was an afternoon of learning, exploration, and a closer look at the work we do every day.
Rowing teams on the Potomac River with bridge and city skyline in background.
Cyclist in foreground with rowing teams on the Potomac River.
More testing, same focus on transparency 💧
We’re sampling every two hours at key recreation areas along the Potomac River for 3 consecutive Saturdays.
E. coli levels remain within typical recreational ranges, with fluctuations consistent with historical patterns.
🔗 www.dcwater.com/about-dc-wat...
Filed your taxes yet? While you’re checking boxes, here’s your water update 💧
Most sites remain within the typical recreational range, with some fluctuations at select downstream locations.
Halfway there.
Crews have removed soil down to the clay liner between Locks 12 and 13, marking 50% completion of the C&O Canal cleanup. Work continues as crews move through remaining sections.
🔗 www.dcwater.com/about-dc-wat...
Three stacked images of Justin Bieber over time and utility workers digging on a residential street. Text reads: “If you remember this Justin Bieber… and now this Justin Bieber got y’all saying ‘it’s not clocking to you’… It might be time to check your lead service line 👀
Rumor has it Justin Bieber said at Coachella…
checking your lead service line is kinda hot 👀💧
Check yours at dcwater.com/lead
From brunch plans to Monday check-ins.
Here’s where things stand:
Most sites remain within the typical range for recreation, with some fluctuations at select locations.
The slurry treatment plant.
Behind every tunnel is a system you don’t see.
The slurry treatment plant separates rock, soil, and fines excavated by the TBM and recycles the slurry for reuse.
It’s a critical part of the operation and keeps tunneling moving forward.
Keeping an 👀 on things as we head into the weekend. Water quality testing shows most sites within range for recreation. With repairs complete and overflows contained more than two months ago, crews continue cleanup while working to beautify the C&O Canal area.
First turn of cutterhead signals the start of excavation for the Potomac River Tunnel Project.
And just like that, we’re underway.
DC Water launched its first tunnel boring machine, Mary, marking the start of tunneling for the Potomac River Tunnel Project.
Now, it’s on the move underground to reduce pollution and protect our waterways. 🔗 www.dcwater.com/about-dc-wat...
Soil removal is complete between locks 13 and 14 in the C & O Canal.
Work continues in remaining sections, with soil removal nearing completion between locks 12 and 13 and sludge removal underway between locks 11 and 12. 🔗 www.dcwater.com/about-dc-wat...
This is your sign, literally. ☁️
Have questions or concerns about water or sewer issues in your home or neighborhood?
The Command Center can help.
📞 202-612-3400
They are available 24/7
(left to right) Mike Greentree, Donald Simon, and Kendall Bland pulled and positioned cables used to monitor breathable air quality inside the tunnel, ensuring safe conditions for crews working underground.
These final checks are preparing Mary for her 3.4-mile journey underground. We’re one step closer to tunneling. 🙌
Cables and hoses line the shaft and connect to the TBM, forming the machine’s essential lifeline, supplying electrical power, communications and data links, hydraulic pressure, and slurry, water, cooling, and air systems.
Careful steps and constant checks. Staff must weave through a maze of hoses and hard steel, ducking, stepping, and inspecting as the TBM’s busy lifeline hums all around them.
Behind the scenes, crews are pulling cables, testing sensors, monitoring controls, and checking the systems that supply power, air, and data to keep operations running smoothly.
Inside the TBM control cabin, staff check and calibrate monitors as the operator prepares to steer the machine, manage onboard systems, and coordinate with teams on the surface and underground.
A technician performs sensor checks to send real-time data to control systems, allowing operators to monitor performance, detect issues early, and maintain safe operations.
Mary is about to enter uncharted territory. Engineers are running final checks on the tunnel boring machine ahead of excavation for the Potomac River Tunnel.
Who’s counting? We are.
Day 69 of water quality testing, with all sites within typical range for recreation.
Two months since overflows were contained and nearly one month since emergency repairs were completed. Crews continue cleanup and prep for long-term rehabilitation.
When you make it down the aisle, don't forget who made it happen 🙂↕️
💪💧
#DYK No overflows have reached the Potomac River for over a month prior to completion of Potomac Interceptor repairs.
Meanwhile, crews are removing sludge btwn Locks 11–12. Soil removal is nearly complete at 12–13, with additional material being removed at 13–14. 🔗 www.dcwater.com/about-dc-wat...
Don’t you just HATE when your phone starts glitching like this? 😭
But if it “accidentally” signs you up for a free lead service line replacement… not the worst outcome.
See if you qualify 👉 dcwater.com/lead
Not the prettiest job... but an important one.
Our crews are in the muck every day, cleaning the sludge from the C & O Canal.
Every step plays a role in restoring this stretch of the canal. See how it's done.
Soil removal has reached the clay liner between Locks 13 and 14. Work between Locks 10 and 13 is expected to finish mid- to late-April. Mobilization continues for the previously planned long-term rehabilitation. 🔗 www.dcwater.com/about-dc-wat...
As we start off a new month, we're wrapping up our water quality sampling for March. Results remain consistent with typical fluctuations. See the results for the entire month, and how its changed since the Potomac Interceptor overflow in January here: www.dcwater.com/sites/defaul...
just saying 🤷♀️
Lock 12 sludge cleaned
Today, DC Water began removing contaminated soil between Locks 13 and 14 on the C&O Canal, used as a temporary bypass. Crews will remove the soil to the clay liner and reconstruct the canal to NPS specifications. 🔗 www.dcwater.com/about-dc-wat...
Final stretch: DC Water’s aerial drone assessment of the full 54-mile Potomac Interceptor alignment wraps this week.
The data supports long-term rehabilitation planning.
Please don’t move survey markers.
🔗 www.dcwater.com/about-dc-wat...
DC’s famed cherry blossoms🌸are a gift that spans decades, and so are lead service line replacements! Replacing lead lines with copper pipes reduces your home’s exposure to lead. Check your pipes today at dcwater.com/lead
#LeadFreeDC #DCWater
