Home / Environment / Potomac River Drowned in 200M Gallons of Raw Sewage
Potomac River Drowned in 200M Gallons of Raw Sewage
18 Feb
Summary
- Over 200 million gallons of wastewater spilled into the Potomac River.
- High levels of E. coli and staph bacteria detected in the river.
- Pipe repairs are estimated to take 4 to 6 weeks to complete.
A significant environmental crisis unfolded when a collapsed section of the Potomac Interceptor sewer line in Cabin John, Maryland, discharged more than 200 million gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac River starting January 19. The sheer volume of wastewater has raised alarms, with researchers detecting elevated levels of harmful bacteria, including E. coli and staphylococcus.
Residents of Cabin John, a community known for its recreational trails and river access, are experiencing the pungent odor and expressing heartbreak over the contamination of their local environment. This incident is not the first for the aging sewer system, as past issues with odors have troubled the community. Extensive repairs are underway, with the bypass system installation and rock removal being critical first steps.
DC Water estimates that actual repairs to the collapsed pipe will take between four to six weeks. Following this, a larger rehabilitation project for over 2,700 feet of the pipe is planned over nine to 10 months. The situation has drawn national attention, with calls for federal assistance and coordination from agencies like FEMA, though local officials emphasize collaborative efforts.
