A small electrical fire developed at approximately 11:30 a.m. today at the DC Water and Sewer Authority’s (DC WASA’s) Potomac Pumping Station. This fire affected the electrical system and disabled the station’s pumping capacity. As a result, a dry weather overflow into the Potomac River occurred at K and 30th Streets, NW.

To reduce the impact of the overflow, sewage was diverted from the Potomac Pumping Station to the Main Pumping Station. The initial estimate of sewer overflow that went into the river is between 100,000 gallons and 500,000 gallons. By comparison, about 1 trillion gallons of water flowed through the Potomac River during the same period.

DC WASA electricians and engineers responded quickly and have restored operations at the Potomac Pumping Station with a temporary solution until a more permanent fix can be implemented.

DC WASA appreciates notification from residents and businesses if a sewer overflow is suspected within the District of Columbia. The public may contact DC WASA’s 24-hour Emergency Response Line at 202-612-3400.