EMERGENCY WATER MAIN REPAIR
Feb 08, 2026 | 05:30 AM

EMERGENCY WATER MAIN REPAIR
Feb 08, 2026 | 04:30 AM

EMERGENCY WATER MAIN REPAIR
Feb 08, 2026 | 04:00 AM

DC Water Encourages Residents to Drop-off Unwanted and Expired Medications

September 28, 2012

District of Columbia residents will have the option to safely dispose of household medications at drug take-back sites throughout the city. The upcoming “Take-Back” initiative, being held on Saturday, September 29, is an effort to safely collect unused and expired medications and prevent improper drug disposal and distribution.

The DC Department of Health, Metropolitan Police Department and the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority are encouraging District residents to participate in this nation-wide effort. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), in conjunction with state and local governments, law enforcements, community, and public health organizations will host the drug “Take-Back” initiative for the District of Columbia, Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland areas.

The drug “Take-Back” initiative will help educate the public of proper medication disposal methods, as well as offer local take-back collection centers for people wanting to get rid of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted medicines. Collection centers will be facilitated by the Washington area DEA, who will work with state and local police departments throughout the region to help collect and destroy medications.

The DEA will offer several collection sites this Saturday, September, 29th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The service is free and anonymous. Below is a list of collection sites in the District of Columbia.

Latest News

Trench boxes at construction site for new pit accessing Potomac Interceptor Upstream

DC Water and its contractors continue to make progress constructing new access points to the Potomac Interceptor, one upstream of the damaged section, and an additional entry downstream to divert more wastewater flow from the pipe. These access points will allow crews to install a bulkhead, blocking flow in the pipe upstream of the collapsed area, keeping the site as dry as possible so crews can safely remove an extensive rock dam currently blocking the pipe.

Photo of giant rock and boulder removed

DC Water is releasing new findings regarding the environmental impacts following the January 19, collapse in a section of the Potomac Interceptor. Based on flow monitoring data collected before and after interim bypass pumping was activated, DC Water estimates approximately 243 million gallons of wastewater has overflowed from the collapse site.

Image of rock blockage taken by CCTV inside the Potomac Interceptor downstream of the collapse

Update on Extended Repairs, Safety Measures, and Water Quality Monitoring

Overnight CCTV inspection of the Potomac Interceptor revealed the blockage inside the collapsed sewer line is far more significant, showing a large rock dam stretching approximately 30 feet downstream of the original failure.

Upcoming Meeting

Board of Directors Meeting

April 24, 2023

Monday 9:00 AM

Announcement

Map of lane closure
Traffic Advisory: Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway NW Lane Closure Beginning Jan 19

Beginning on or about January 19, 2026, weather permitting, DC Water will implement a temporary lane closure on Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway NW b

Latest Blog Post
A helicopter lowers a drill rig to workers on the Potomac River.
DC Water begins drilling in Potomac River to explore options to rehab underwater sewer line
When one of your major sewer lines runs through the Potomac River, a backhoe and trencher won't do. That's why we've got helicopters carrying a 14-ton drill and workers suspended midair over the Potomac.
Upcoming Meeting
Date
February 19, 2026
Thursday, 9:30 AM

Upcoming Events

Customer Service Center Announcement

Payment Plan Incentive: provides a credit back of 40% of the last 3 payments made and in the new fiscal year 50% will be credited. Eligible participants are residential customers who have had an outstanding balance for 60 days or greater and with an outstanding balance of $500 or more.