EMERGENCY WATER OUTAGE
Feb 27, 2026 | 03:00 PM

EMERGENCY WATER OUTAGE
Feb 27, 2026 | 02:00 PM

TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Temporary Lane Closures Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway for Sewer Rehabilitation Project

February 27, 2026

DC Water will be performing repairs to the Rock Creek Main Interceptor (RCMI) within the West End and Georgetown Neighborhoods. This will require temporary lane closures beginning tonight, February 27, at 8 PM  through Monday, March 2, at 5 AM.

The construction plan initially announced in early October involves two phases. During the first phase, crews will perform work to help restore one of two sewer gates located within a structure along the trail. Once completed, crews will move on to the second phase of the project, now expected to start in early 2026. These repairs are a high priority to prevent potential sewage discharge into Rock Creek and are part of DC Water’s Capital Improvement Program.

DC Water is continuing to conduct additional field investigations and inspections needed to complete the first phase of work.

Temporary Lane and Trail Closures: 

One lane of the Rock Creek and Potomac Pkwy NW (South Bound) between P Street and Pennsylvania Ave NW will be closed full-time during the Gate Restoration.

Right most southbound lane closure

One lane of the Rock Creek and Potomac Pkwy NW (South Bound) near the Waterside Drive NW on-ramp, will be closed on Saturday, February 28 from 7 AM to 5 PM during the pipeline inspection.
 

RCMI Pic 2 Lane Closure

The Rock Creek Trail between Pennsylvania Ave and Lauzuns Legion Bridge will be closed full time during the Gate Restoration.
Map of detour
To facilitate the inspection of nearby DC Water infrastructure, while also ensuring the safety of the crews and equipment, we will need to temporarily close a section of the right southbound lane of Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway near the ramp merge from Waterside Drive NW.
 
The temporary lane closure will take place from 8:00 PM on Friday, February 27, 2026, through 5:00 AM on Monday, March 2, 2026.
 
DC Water has been working closely with National Park Service and Park Police on this work, to ensure that the rush hour one-way access along Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway is uninterrupted.
 
We extend our thanks to the community for their patience and understanding during the completion of this critical infrastructure project.
 

Latest News

Placeholder DC Water Image

DC Water will be performing repairs to the Rock Creek Main Interceptor (RCMI) within the West End and Georgetown Neighborhoods. This will require temporary lane closures beginning tonight, February 27, at 8 PM through Monday, March 2, at 5 AM.

Photo of workers doing environmental rehab site preps

No overflows reaching the Potomac River for 19 days. The last release to enter the river occurred on February 8. Crews were able to reach some of the additional large rocks downstream of the collapsed section and remove them without additional excavation. Cleaning continues in the area upstream of the damaged section of the Potomac Interceptor to remove muck, debris, and smaller rocks.

Graphic with meeting information

DC Water is inviting Maryland residents to join us tonight for a community meeting at Walt Whitman High School at 7 p.m. for an update about ongoing repair efforts on a section of the Potomac Interceptor sewer line that failed, directly impacting the surrounding Montgomery County communities. The meeting will provide an opportunity for residents to ask questions, learn about planned environmental restoration efforts, and next steps in the emergency repair and long-term rehabilitation efforts.

Upcoming Meeting

Board of Directors Meeting

April 24, 2023

Monday 9:00 AM

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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.

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A helicopter lowers a drill rig to workers on the Potomac River.
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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.