Potomac Interceptor Overflow Update
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Work to clean and repair the damaged section of the Potomac Interceptor continues, though progress is being slowed by large boulders and rocks inside the pipe. Meanwhile, increased flow from groundwater infiltration attributed to snowmelt, along with periodic clogging of the bypass pumps, at times, resulted in minor overflows near the ...
Cleaning efforts continue today on the Potomac Interceptor, to remove debris and obstructions inside the damaged section of the sewer line. The 72-inch pipe collapsed two weeks ago along Clara Barton Parkway and the 495 interchange and the C & O Canal National Historical Park in Montgomery County, Md. Here is an update on the ongoing work.
Potomac Interceptor Overflow Update
Monday, February 2 ...
DC Water and its contractor are working to clean out the damaged section of the Potomac Interceptor, a sanitary sewer line which overflowed January 19, along Clara Barton Parkway and the 495 interchange and into the C & O Canal National Historical Park. Below is an update on the work being done and progress to date.
Potomac Interceptor Update
Sunday, February 1, 2026
Containment
- Overflow from the ...
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The overflow remains contained for now, with no overflows ...
DC Water and its contractor have successfully excavated around the damaged section of the Potomac Interceptor, a sanitary sewer line that collapsed on January 19 and overflowed into the Potomac River. For the second straight day, there have been no sewer overflows from the damaged pipe.
Federal, State, and Local Officials Get Firsthand Look at Collapse Site and Repair Efforts
Over the past 24-hours, DC Water engineers for the first time report no sanitary sewer overflows escaping from a damaged section of the Potomac Interceptor since the incident happened. The 72-inch diameter pipe section collapsed on January 19, along Clara Barton Parkway and the C & O Canal National ...
Excavation is underway to access a damaged section of the Potomac Interceptor, a major sewer line that collapsed on January 19, along Clara Barton Parkway near the 495-interchange and C & O National Historical Park in Montgomery County, MD. This marks a pivotal step forward in the recovery process, allowing DC Water and its contractor to directly inspect the damaged pipe, exposing the affected ...
This week’s heavy snow, icy conditions, and extreme cold have brought challenges to the DC region —exactly the kind of weather that can impact how DC Water’s Lead Free DC Program replaces lead service lines. That’s why we’re reminding you to join us tomorrow, January 28, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., for an important Lead Free DC (LFDC) virtual community meeting.
DC Water teams and contractors are working around the clock to operate a bypass system that diverts wastewater away from a damaged section of the Potomac Interceptor. Industrial pumps have been running since late Saturday, but heavy snow and extreme cold continue to create challenges for the equipment and operations.
DC Water is nearing full containment on a sanitary sewer overflow, nearly a week after a section of the Potomac Interceptor – a major sewer line – collapsed in Montgomery County, MD. In the first full day of operation since a temporary bypass system was activated, the flow of wastewater downstream where it re-enters the sewer line has increased by about 40 million gallons per day.
