DOJ sues D.C. Water over Potomac interceptor failure, sewage spill
(UI) - The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a civil complaint against the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (D.C. Water) over the collapse of a major sewer pipeline that discharged more than 200 million gallons of untreated wastewater into the Potomac River.
Filed on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the complaint alleges that D.C. Water violated the Clean Water Act by failing to properly operate and maintain the Potomac Interceptor, a critical wastewater conveyance system serving the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia region.
According to the complaint, a section of the interceptor collapsed in January 2026, triggering a multi-day release of raw sewage into the river. Emergency response efforts included installing bypass pumping systems and temporarily routing wastewater through the C&O Canal, though additional discharges occurred during pump failures.
Federal officials said the incident highlights risks tied to aging wastewater infrastructure and the need for proactive maintenance. The Potomac Interceptor carries up to 60 million gallons of sewage per day, making it a key component of the region’s wastewater system.
The Justice Department is seeking civil penalties, as well as requirements for system-wide assessments, rehabilitation projects, and the development of an enhanced operations and maintenance plan. The action follows an investigation by the EPA into the pipeline failure and resulting environmental impacts.
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