EMERGENCY WATER MAIN BREAK
Jul 25, 2026 | 08:40 PM

EMERGENCY WATER MAIN BREAK
Jul 25, 2026 | 04:44 PM

REMINDER: DC Water to Host a Community Meeting to Update District Residents About Potomac Interceptor Repair Efforts

February 24, 2026
Graphic with the information for the Community Meeting

As DC Water continues repair efforts on the Potomac Interceptor sewer line, we want to provide an opportunity for the community to engage with us, ask questions, and learn more about the response, impacts to the Potomac River, and next steps in the emergency repair and long-term rehabilitation efforts.

On January 19, 2026, a section of the Potomac Interceptor collapsed along Clara Barton Parkway, in Montgomery County, resulting in a significant overflow into the C & O Canal National Historical Park and Potomac River.

DC Water crews and contractors constructed a bypass to carry the wastewater around the failure and back into the Potomac Interceptor further downstream. These efforts have resulted in no overflows reaching the river since February 8, more than two weeks ago. Emergency repairs are expected to be completed by mid-March.

During the meeting, DC Water and District officials will discuss what happened, the response and repair timeline, impacts to DC residents and visitors, and the long-term rehabilitation plans.

Meeting Information
Wednesday, February 25 - Washington, DC

What: Community Meeting on Potomac Interceptor Response
Where: DC Water Headquarters, 1385 Canal St SE, Washington, DC 20003
Time: 7:00 PM
Watch: DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment Channel 16 (DCN) or online video.oct.dc.gov/DCN/
Listen: To dial in from your phone call 844-881-1314 then press 0
Who:
David L. Gadis, CEO and General Manager, DC Water
Matt Brown, Chief Operating Officer, DC Water
Kirsten Williams, Chief Administrative Officer, DC Water
Moussa Wone, Chief Engineer, DC Water
Jeff Peterson, Director, Clean Rivers Project, DC Water
RSVP: events@dcwater.com

DC Water will host a second meeting for Maryland residents on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 7 p.m. at Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, Maryland.

Protecting public health and the Potomac River remains DC Water’s top priority. For the latest information about the Potomac Interceptor Response, go to dcwater.com/potomac-interceptor-collapse.

Latest News

image of clara barton parkway with lane closure marked in red

Beginning this week and continuing through mid-August, DC Water will temporarily close one lane overnight on Clara Barton Parkway at the Maryland-D.C. border. The closures are needed so crews can ...

Pennyfield Lock Potomac Interceptor bypass pipeline running next to C & O Canal with equipment

There is no active spill or overflow. Work to strengthen the pipe to begin soon.

Today, DC Water completed construction on a temporary bypass system as part of sewer repairs on the Potomac Interceptor near Pennyfield Lock in Potomac, Maryland. Crews turned on the pumps and successfully tested the system. With the bypass now ready, it will allow us to begin the emergency repairs inside the pipe by carrying the wastewater around the repair area.

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When we finish the Piney Branch Tunnel, it will hold at least 4.2 million gallons of rainwater and wastewater during heavy storms. Instead of overflowing into Piney Branch, that water will go to the Blue Plains Water Resource Recovery Facility, where it will be treated.

Upcoming Meeting

Board of Directors Meeting

April 24, 2023

Monday 9:00 AM

Announcement

DC Water Officials with NPS and ANC commissioners doing ceremonial groundbreaking
DC Water Breaks Ground on Piney Branch Tunnel, Final Phase of DC Clean Rivers Project

Today, DC Water broke ground on the Piney Branch Tunnel, the final major tunnel in our Clean Rivers Project. This work will help keep sewage and trash out of local waterways and make Rock Creek, the Potomac River, and the Chesapeake Bay cleaner for our community.

When we finish the Piney Branch Tunnel, it will hold at least 4.2 million gallons of rainwater and wastewater during heavy storms. Instead of overflowing into Piney Branch, that water will go to the Blue Plains Water Resource Recovery Facility, where it will be treated.

Latest Blog Post
Plastic bottles, cups and other floating debris on the surface of the Anacostia River before the Anacostia River Tunnel began operating.
Cleaner Waterways Start With Everyday Choices
Protecting our waterways starts with everyday actions and continues through critical infrastructure designed to keep pollution out of our rivers.
Upcoming Meeting
Date
July 28, 2026
Tuesday, 9:30 AM

Customer Service Center Announcement

Payment Plan Incentive: provides a credit back of 50% of the last 3 payments made. 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.