- This week crews worked to remove the remaining soil from Locks 11 to 13 in the section of the C&O Canal that was used as an emergency bypass after the collapse of the Potomac Interceptor sewer line.
- Work began on Lock 10, with the majority of the soil removal expected to be completed by the end of next week.
- Parallel efforts are also underway in advance of the accelerated rehabilitation of more than ...
DC Water invites residents to join the next Lead Free DC virtual community meeting on May 11 where LFDC experts will talk about how construction may affect yards and outdoor spaces.
- Crews are close to completing the removal of remaining soil from Locks 11 to 13 in the section of the C&O Canal that was used as an emergency bypass after the collapse of the Potomac Interceptor sewer line.
- Work began on Lock 10, with the majority of the soil removal expected to be completed by the end of next week.
- Tree removal continues after DC Water received the permits to move forward as part ...
Crews completed cleaning on Lock 11 of the C & O Canal as prescribed by the National Park Service, with soil removal also nearing completion within the lock area. Tree removal is also underway, after DC Water received the permits to move forward as part of the site preparations for the long-term accelerated rehabilitation of more than 2700 linear feet of the Potomac Interceptor sewer line that had ...
DC Water has excavated a section of the Potomac Interceptor along Clara Barton Parkway, outside the I-495 Beltway as part of the accelerated rehabilitation of more than 2700 linear feet of the interceptor that was previously planned. As part of the long-term rehabilitation project, crews are beginning to remove trees which is necessary to construct a bypass chamber that will divert wastewater ...
Recognition highlights DC Water’s commitment to environmental stewardship during Earth Month
DC Water has been honored with the “Green Bond of the Year – US Muni Bond” Award by Environmental Finance, a leading industry publication. This achievement celebrates DC Water’s leadership in sustainability and its dedication to responsible municipal financing.

DC Water issues the following statement in response to the complaints filed by the Maryland Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Justice on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding the Potomac Interceptor sewer overflow into the Potomac River that occurred on January 19, 2026:
DC Water is fully committed to the long-term rehabilitation of the Potomac Interceptor ...
DC Water has expanded its water quality testing initiative over a three-week period at high-use recreational areas along the Potomac River. This proactive measure is intended to complement the daily water quality sampling already underway following the sewer overflow caused by the Potomac Interceptor collapse that occurred in January and has since been repaired. The expanded testing comes in ...
DC Water and its contractor have removed all the soil down to the clay liner between locks 12 and 13, marking 50% completion of the canal clean-up. Soil removal between Locks 13 and 14 was completed earlier this month. Meanwhile, clean-up efforts continue between locks 10 and 12, with sludge removal complete and soil removal now underway.
First turn of cutterhead signals the start of excavation for the Potomac River Tunnel Project
In a defining moment for one of the District’s largest infrastructure investments, DC Water has marked its next major milestone in the Potomac River Tunnel Project. The first tunnel boring machine, Mary, has launched her northbound journey breaking through the soil to signal the start of excavation.