DC Water and its engineers will conduct an emergency inspection of a 78-inch sewer pipe located next to the Clara Barton Parkway. This follows an incident where a contractor working in the area accidentally drilled into the Potomac Interceptor sewer line, which transports 60 million gallons of wastewater each day. 

On Tuesday, April 1, between 8 a.m. and noon, crews will close a 50-foot single lane section, inbound on the Parkway just outside the Beltway. One lane will remain open providing access inbound on Clara Barton Parkway and to 495 in both directions. An additional lane closure may also be necessary just inside the Beltway. Morning commuters who use this area of the parkway traveling toward DC or to the Beltway should plan for additional traffic and may want to utilize an alternate route. 

While no active leak has been found, an emergency inspection inside the pipe is required to evaluate the extent of damage and necessary repairs. The damage occurred along the Parkway just under the 495 exit coming from the American Legion Bridge. During the inspection, a closed-circuit television camera will be lowered into a nearby manhole to provide a visual assessment of the pipe’s condition. 

Due to the emergency nature of the incident, the inspection will be conducted as soon as possible. Delaying the work until after rush hour could further compromise the sewer line, which serves Fairfax, Loudoun County, Town of Vienna, Herndon, and Dulles Airport in Virgina, and Montgomery County, MD. 

We apologize for the disruption to the morning rush hour and appreciate your patience while we complete the emergency work. Once the inspection is complete, the lane will reopen. 

Go to dcwater.com to learn more about the Potomac Interceptor and the work underway to rehabilitate the 54-mile sewer line. The project is part of DC Water’s capital investments in infrastructure improvements to ensure safe, reliable sewer service and wastewater treatment for the region.