Emergency repair expected to take 4-6 weeks, followed by long-term rehabilitation

DC Water crews and its contractors, working under challenging conditions over the past month, are nearing completion of an enhanced bypass system that will allow emergency repairs to begin on a damaged section of the Potomac Interceptor.

Potomac Interceptor Repairs Update

February 15, 2026 

• No overflow events impacting surface waters have been reported in the past 24 hours.
• The four high-capacity bypass pumps installed this week are now ...

Crews have completed construction of the two new access pits to support full installation of the enhanced bypass pumping system. Three high-capacity bypass pumps have been installed and are operational, with a fourth pump expected to be activated later tonight or early Sunday ahead of the forecasted weather to help manage anticipated higher flows associated with rainfall and snowmelt.