EMERGENCY WATER OUTAGE
Feb 07, 2026 | 11:00 PM

Emergency Water Outage
Feb 07, 2026 | 04:00 PM

Emergency Water Outage
Feb 07, 2026 | 03:00 PM

Soapstone Trail Closure and Audubon Terrace Parking Restriction to Begin on or Around August 3

July 30, 2015

DC Water is scheduled to make emergency repairs to the 18” sanitary sewer main in Soapstone Valley. In response to a recent leak, which resulted in a sewage spill into the creek, crews will line defective pipes starting a few feet from the end of the road at Audubon Terrace, NW to approximately 300 feet east towards the trail. This emergency work is being performed as a critical measure to prevent future sewage spills. This work will result in the trail closure from the dead-end at Audubon Terrace, NW to Broad Branch Rd, NW for public safety reasons. In addition, there will be no parking on Audubon Terrace east of 29th Street NW. The repairs are tentatively scheduled to start on Monday, August 3, 2015 and are anticipated to be completed by the end of the week.

Important Information:
• Emergency “No Parking” signs will be placed in the adjacent areas 72 hours prior to any construction activities.

Temporary traffic signs will be set up throughout the area to alert motorists and pedestrians to the upcoming closures. To keep everyone safe, the posted speed limits should be observed and obeyed when travelling through this area. DC Water is working closely with NPS and DDOT to ensure minimal disruption during this work.

With nearly 1,800 miles of sewer lines throughout its service area, DC Water appreciates notification from the public if a sanitary sewer spill or leak is suspected. Please call the 24-hour Emergency Command Center at 202-612-3400 at any time to report water or sewer emergencies in the District of Columbia. More information on the sewer system can be found at www.dcwater.com

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

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.
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.