Traffic Advisory: Sinkhole Repairs Will Result in Extended Irving Street Closure

October 20, 2020

A section of Irving Street NW near Rock Creek Park will be closed to all traffic for several weeks to allow DC Water to make urgent repairs to a historic sewer line that collapsed and created a sinkhole. There will also be closure in the 3000 block of 18th Street NW, just north of Irving Street.
 
The sinkhole in the 1800 block of Irving Street did not cause any injuries and neither water nor wastewater service has so far been impacted, but the repairs are complex and will take at least two weeks to complete.
 
DC Water has worked closely with the DC Department of Transportation on the street closing and equipment staging; Irving Street in this section runs one way, eastbound.
 
DC Water is also working closely with WMATA so that Metro bus service can be rerouted around Irving Street.

Latest News

workers removing a large boulder in damaged pipe

Highlights
 

  • Today marks the 12th consecutive day with no new overflow events entering the Potomac River or impacting surface waters.
  • The bulkhead installed in the Potomac Interceptor at I-495 continues ...
Collapse site with workers inside

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser Visits Site as Crews Make Progress on Repairs

DC Water has successfully reached the damaged section of the Potomac Interceptor, marking a critical step in the ongoing damage assessment and repair efforts. Crews today are manually digging out the affected area, carefully removing sludge, soil, and debris from the collapsed pipe.

Image of the collapse site drained of water

Efforts to isolate the damaged section of pipe are moving forward. Engineers are on site and preparations are underway to permanently install a steel bulkhead gate that will cut off flow to the collapse site in combination with an enhanced bypass pumping system that will continue to divert wastewater around the failure and into the Potomac Interceptor further downstream. Once fully activated, the system will allow contractors to begin stabilizing the area around the break and initiate excavation down to the damaged pipe and rock dam.

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 23, 2026
Monday, 9:30 AM

Upcoming Events

Customer Service Center Announcement

Payment Plan Incentive: provides a credit back of 50% of the last 3 payments made. 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.