• DC Water and its contractors are now working between locks 13 and 14 in the C & O Canal to vacuum out sludge and muck left behind by the bypass pumping system, that directed wastewater around the damaged Potomac Interceptor and back into the pipe further downstream.
• The freshwater dam at Lock 14, is now complete, and water is being pumped into the canal to help flush out the sludge and debris, for the initial cleanup.
• Work is progressing on the initial phase of environmental rehabilitation near Lock 10 of the canal. The clean-up has been underway since flow was restored to the interceptor on Saturday.
• The initial phase of cleaning and temporary stabilization is nearly complete in the areas directly impacted by the overflows, including the drainage channel along Clara Barton Parkway, Rock Run culvert, the unnamed tributary to the Potomac River, and along the shoreline.

Water Quality Sampling Results

Fluctuations in water quality are influenced by factors such as rain, heat, or other weather events, river flow, runoff, pollutants, releases of combined overflows, and other sources discharging into waterways. This is reflected in the large fluctuations shown March 16 and 17, coinciding with heavy rains. As a result, it’s unlikely the changes in E. coli levels are related to the Potomac Interceptor which last had an overflow reach the river well over a month ago.

For the Potomac River, historical water quality data shows E. coli levels may vary from a range as low as 10 MPN/100mL to as much as 5,000 MPN/100mL on a given day. A more detailed explanation is posted on the District Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) website at doee.dc.gov/release/potomac-interceptor-update-and-faqs.

Sample results from March 9 - present. Past results may be found here.

For the latest updates and information, including how to provide feedback on the environmental rehabilitation, go to our dedicated Potomac Interceptor Response page.