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Sinkhole Damage at 14th and F Streets, NW Will Require Complex Repairs to Sewer Line

May 22, 2013

DC Water and District Department of Transportation (DDOT) crews remain on the scene of a hole that opened in the roadway at 14th and F Streets, NW and are working to determine the cause of underground concrete falling 15 feet onto a sewer line.

A DC Water sewer investigator yesterday determined that concrete from above had collapsed a large section of a 54-inch diameter brick combined sewer line. The concrete may have come from the road itself or from another utility casing.

There are a number of utilities and old trolley tracks above the collapsed sewer, making this a complex repair. This sewer is 15 feet below the road surface and was built in 1897. DC Water anticipates approximately 30 feet of the sewer will need to be excavated and repaired.

DC Water and contractor crews will work 24 hours per day until the repair is complete. DC Water will provide updates throughout the process.

DDOT will manage traffic control during the process and traffic advisories can be found at www.ddot.dc.gov on the Featured News Section. The intersection remains closed to vehicular traffic at this time.

Latest News

Placeholder DC Water Image

DC Water has completed sludge removal on a section of the C & O Canal between locks 13 and 14, which was used as a bypass to divert wastewater around the collapsed section of the Potomac Interceptor and back into the pipe further downstream. Crews are now constructing an access bridge to this section of the canal to allow soil removal to begin.

Overhead Photo of Potomac Interceptor

Comprehensive Survey to Guide Rehabilitation and Address Changing Site Conditions

Starting later this week, DC Water will conduct an aerial drone assessment along the 54-mile Potomac Interceptor (PI) to evaluate current site conditions and better understand the changing landscape and development along the Potomac Interceptor alignment, including areas where there may be rocks or boulders that need further on the ground inspections.

Photo of someone using the tap water with the dates of the annual water line cleaning March 23 - May 4

Spring cleaning isn’t just for closets and cabinets. DC Water’s system gets a refresh too!

Starting March 23, DC Water will begin work that helps maintain more than 1,300 miles of water lines across the District. During this time, the disinfectant used in drinking water will temporarily switch from chloramine to chlorine through May 4. This switch helps support overall water quality throughout the year.

Upcoming Meeting

Board of Directors Meeting

April 24, 2023

Monday 9:00 AM

Announcement

Picture of new bike pedestrian path and traffic detour
New Path for Capital Crescent Trail Opens at Georgetown Waterfront Park

DC CLEAN RIVERS – POTOMAC RIVER TUNNEL PROJECT
If you bike, drive, or walk through Georgetown, we’ve got changes starting this week around the Potomac River Tunnel construction on Water Street NW. The Capital Crescent Trail has a new temporary detour through Georgetown Waterfront Park, open now for cyclists between 33rd and Potomac streets NW.

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.
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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.