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.

Potomac Interceptor Collapse Update
Tuesday, February 17, 2026

• No overflow events impacting surface waters were reported overnight. No overflow events impacting surface waters have been reported since ...

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.