DC Water's
News & Updates

At DC Water, we understand the importance of keeping our community informed about our services, projects, and achievements. Our news web page serves as a reliable source for the latest information on a range of topics.

Map of area on K and 30th St where utility investigation will occur
2 May, 2025

Map: The blue arrows represent the pedestrian detour. Motorists follow the yellow arrows. The bicycle trail remains open.

DC CLEAN RIVERS – POTOMAC RIVER TUNNEL PROJECT 

Beginning on or about May 8, 2025, DC Water will begin work to locate and mark underground utilities on K Street Northwest between 29th and 30th streets Northwest. The work, which involves drilling small holes, will require ...

Images showing the crack in the crown of the red brick sewer.
2 May, 2025

DC Water is preparing for emergency repairs on a large sewer line next to Rock Creek, after discovering significant structural issues. The six-foot pipeline, known as the Rock Creek Main Interceptor, carries as much as 100 million gallons of wastewater a day and could cause significant environmental harm if a failure occurred.

During a routine inspection using a closed-circuit camera system, video ...

DC Water Potomac River Tunnel Project construction site at West Potomac Park
1 May, 2025

As part of the excavation work for DC Water’s Potomac River Tunnel Project, weekly controlled underground blasting operations at the West Potomac Park construction site will begin as early as next week and continue through February 2026. The site is located along the Potomac River at Ohio Drive and Independence Avenue Southwest. All streets and sidewalks will remain open during blasting events ...

Map of emergency lane closure sutiland parkway se near Stanton Rd
30 April, 2025

Contractor to perform inspections in area of 54-inch sewer main failure 

DC Water in coordination with the District Department of Transportation will perform emergency work on Suitland Parkway Southeast near Stanton Road starting tonight as early as 7 p.m. and ending tomorrow morning at 5 a.m. Crews will be inspecting additional sections of a 54-inch stormwater main that failed last month.

In order ...

Tunnel Boring Machine named Mary undergoing Factory Acceptance Testing
28 April, 2025

Her name is Mary and she’s a tunnel boring machine (TBM) capable of cutting through hard rock and boring a tunnel 21 feet in width. This month, she completed factory acceptance testing in Germany and will head across the pond to DC to start work on the Potomac River Tunnel.

A team from DC Water and its contractor went to Schwanau, Germany, for the factory testing. Mary passed all the necessary ...

Head shot of Rabia Chaudhry Director of  Water Supply Resilience
21 April, 2025

DC Water’s efforts to build a more resilient water supply took a significant step forward with the announcement today of Rabia Chaudhry, PhD, PE, as the first Director of Water Supply Resilience. The new position reflects the importance and urgency surrounding the Authority’s reliance on the Potomac River as its only water source and the need for alternatives.

At DC Water, Dr. Chaudhry will lead ...

Photo of West Road where construction will take place
14 April, 2025

Beginning the week of April 21, 2025, DC Water will implement temporary traffic lane closures near Georgetown University’s Canal Road Northwest entrance to identify and mark underground utilities for the Potomac River Tunnel Project. The work is expected to take 3-5 weeks to complete, depending on weather conditions.  

To minimize disruptions to campus traffic, excavation activities will be ...

Map of Clara Barton Parkway near 495 with lane closures marked and site of incident damage
31 March, 2025

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 ...

Photo of water pipes
17 March, 2025

It’s that time of year, when you start your spring cleaning and DC Water does too! Beginning on March 24 through May 4, we’ll be disinfecting our 1300 miles of water lines. It’s part of routine maintenance every spring to keep the pipes clean and free of any harmful bacteria.

During this time, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Washington Aqueduct, which supplies water to DC Water, will temporarily ...

sinkhole on exit to South Dakota Avenue Northeast
12 March, 2025

DC Water crews are investigating a sinkhole located at the exit to South Dakota Avenue Northeast inbound from New York Avenue/Route 50. Due to the instability of the road, the exit is closed, and traffic is being diverted to alternate routes. 

The sinkhole is located in the area of a 42-inch stormwater line, a 21-inch sanitary sewer line, and a 20-inch water transmission line. DC Water has a team ...

Upcoming Meeting

Board of Directors Meeting

April 24, 2023

Monday 9:00 AM

Announcement

Picture of previous rock slide on the slope
DC Water Revises Canal Road Slope Stabilization Plan in Response to Community Feedback

DC Water has revised its slope stabilization plan along Canal Road Northwest to significantly reduce traffic disruptions during construction.

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
September 2, 2025
Tuesday, 10:00 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.