Hundreds of Sampling Results Confirm Return to Normal Bacteria Levels in Potomac River
DC Water has outlined its next steps to complete the environmental cleanup and its plan for continued water quality monitoring this summer, as part of the ongoing response to January’s failure in the Potomac Interceptor sewer pipeline. The plan, submitted to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), is ...
Work continues to remove the remaining soil between locks 10 and 12 of the C & O Canal which was used as an emergency bypass while the Potomac Interceptor was repaired. Crews area also removing plants, trees, and shrubs in preparation for the long-term rehabilitation of the Potomac Interceptor.

DC Water has nearly completed construction site preparation for the Piney Branch Tunnel project, including tree removal, and installation of fences, erosion and sediment controls, utilities, and trailers. To complete site setup a section of Piney Branch Parkway will be relocated before starting the shaft and tunnel work.
On or about May 12, 2026, Piney Branch Parkway will be closed between Arkansas ...
DC Water will initiate the next phase of construction at the Capital Crescent Trail site near the Aqueduct by opening a temporary trail around the work zone. The new trail will open on or about May 6, 2026. Safety features will include rumble strips, traffic mirrors, and overhead protection. The following week, DC Water will resume preparing for deep excavation by drilling reinforced steel columns ...
Workers are excavating potentially impacted soil and rocks by hand from the ground at the bottom of the canal’s locks, to avoid damaging the historic structures with excavators or other heavy equipment.
DC Water invites residents to join the next Lead Free DC virtual community meeting on May 11 where LFDC experts will talk about how construction may affect yards and outdoor spaces.
- This week crews worked to remove the remaining soil from Locks 11 to 13 in the section of the C&O Canal that was used as an emergency bypass after the collapse of the Potomac Interceptor sewer line.
- Work began on Lock 10, with the majority of the soil removal expected to be completed by the end of next week.
- Parallel efforts are also underway in advance of the accelerated rehabilitation of more than ...
- Crews are close to completing the removal of remaining soil from Locks 11 to 13 in the section of the C&O Canal that was used as an emergency bypass after the collapse of the Potomac Interceptor sewer line.
- Work began on Lock 10, with the majority of the soil removal expected to be completed by the end of next week.
- Tree removal continues after DC Water received the permits to move forward as part ...
Crews completed cleaning on Lock 11 of the C & O Canal as prescribed by the National Park Service, with soil removal also nearing completion within the lock area. Tree removal is also underway, after DC Water received the permits to move forward as part of the site preparations for the long-term accelerated rehabilitation of more than 2700 linear feet of the Potomac Interceptor sewer line that had ...
DC Water has excavated a section of the Potomac Interceptor along Clara Barton Parkway, outside the I-495 Beltway as part of the accelerated rehabilitation of more than 2700 linear feet of the interceptor that was previously planned. As part of the long-term rehabilitation project, crews are beginning to remove trees which is necessary to construct a bypass chamber that will divert wastewater ...
