Statement Regarding Proposed Stopgap Federal Spending Bill

March 10, 2025

DC Water issues statement regarding the stopgap federal spending bill to revert spending to 2024 levels: 

DC Water distributes drinking water and provides for fire suppression to over a million permanent residents, daily commuters and visitors within the District of Columbia and to several federally owned properties in Arlington County, Virginia. The Authority also provides wastewater treatment for over 2.5 million people living in DC, in parts of Maryland’s Montgomery and Prince George's counties and in parts of Virginia’s Fairfax and Loudoun counties. 

DC Water, its customers and the region it serves faces irreparable harm if forced to make $51 million in immediate cuts that would endanger national security, public health, and the economy of the nation’s capital. This would require slashing critical investments in infrastructure and maintenance and the people who are necessary to provide safe, reliable drinking water and sewer services to the nation’s most iconic landmarks and critical facilities including: the White House, the United States Capitol, the Supreme Court, the Pentagon, two international airports, and 177 sovereign embassies.

Latest News

Photo of soil removal and excavation

DC Water and its contractor have removed all the soil down to the clay liner between locks 12 and 13, marking 50% completion of the canal clean-up. Soil removal between Locks 13 and 14 was completed earlier this month. Meanwhile, clean-up efforts continue between locks 10 and 12, with sludge removal complete and soil removal now underway.

View of Mary at bottom of shaft inside tunnel shown from above

First turn of cutterhead signals the start of excavation for the Potomac River Tunnel Project

In a defining moment for one of the District’s largest infrastructure investments, DC Water has marked its next major milestone in the Potomac River Tunnel Project. The first tunnel boring machine, Mary, has launched her northbound journey breaking through the soil to signal the start of excavation.

With the first turn of Mary’s drill-like cutterhead underground, the machine pushed forward to begin tunneling, representing the transition from years of planning and preparation to active tunnel construction on the $819 million project.

Photo of the vegetation growing back in the culvert area
  • DC Water has completed soil removal, utilizing excavators and manual digging, to expose the clay lining for the C & O Canal between locks 13 and 14. This is the final step in the clean-up process ...

Upcoming Meeting

Board of Directors Meeting

April 24, 2023

Monday 9:00 AM

Announcement

View of Mary at bottom of shaft inside tunnel shown from above
DC Water Launches Tunnel Boring Machine Mary, Marking Important Step for Potomac River Tunnel Project

First turn of cutterhead signals the start of excavation for the Potomac River Tunnel Project

In a defining moment for one of the District’s largest infrastructure investments, DC Water has marked its next major milestone in the Potomac River Tunnel Project. The first tunnel boring machine, Mary, has launched her northbound journey breaking through the soil to signal the start of excavation.

With the first turn of Mary’s drill-like cutterhead underground, the machine pushed forward to begin tunneling, representing the transition from years of planning and preparation to active tunnel construction on the $819 million project.

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
April 15, 2026
Wednesday, 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.