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

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

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

White House Appoints DC Water CEO George S. Hawkins to National Infrastructure Advisory Council

August 05, 2016

President Barack Obama has announced his intent to appoint DC Water CEO and General Manager George S. Hawkins to the National Infrastructure Advisory Council (NIAC).

The Council provides the President - through the Secretary of Homeland Security - with advice on the security of the critical infrastructure sectors and their information systems. The council is composed of a maximum of 30 members, appointed by the President from private industry, academia, and state and local government.

In a statement announcing the appointment of Mr. Hawkins and five others to key posts in the administration, President Obama said, “I am pleased to announce that these experienced and committed individuals have decided to serve our country. I look forward to working with them.”

“I am very honored to serve with the distinguished members of this important Council,” said Mr. Hawkins. “Based on what I have learned at DC Water, I will work hard to make sure that water infrastructure is always included in the discussion about infrastructure funding and need. We have a great potential to put people to work, protect and enhance public health, and strengthen a fundamental building block of a strong economy and community.”

Mr. Hawkins has served as Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of DC Water since 2009. Mr. Hawkins served as Director of the District Department of the Environment from 2007 to 2009. Prior to that, he was Executive Director of New Jersey Future, a non-profit economic development organization, from 2004 to 2007. He served as Executive Director of the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association from 1997 to 2004. Mr. Hawkins worked at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from 1992 to 1997 and in 1997 served as the EPA representative to the National Performance Review. He previously worked as an environmental lawyer in private practice from 1988 to 1992. Mr. Hawkins is a member of the Board of Trustees for the North American Electric Reliability Corporation. Mr. Hawkins received an A.B. from Princeton University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.

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

Map of lane closure
Traffic Advisory: Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway NW Lane Closure Beginning Jan 19

Beginning on or about January 19, 2026, weather permitting, DC Water will implement a temporary lane closure on Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway NW b

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.