Potomac Riverkeeper Network President Betsy Nicholas issued a statement March 4, 2026, from Washington, DC, questioning the District of Columbia Department of Health’s decision to lift its recreational advisory for the Potomac River and expressing concerns over DC Water’s remediation approach following a January 19, 2026, collapse of the Potomac Interceptor sewer line.
The incident released an estimated 243 million gallons of untreated wastewater into the Potomac River near the C&O Canal National Historical Park in Montgomery County, Maryland, marking one of the region’s most significant sewage events.
Nicholas described the spill as “one of the most consequential sewage disasters our region has ever experienced,” noting prolonged exposure risks for communities in the District, Maryland, and Virginia. She acknowledged the Department of Health’s role in determining when contact restrictions should end but criticized the advisory’s issuance a month after data warranted it, stating the delay and lack of transparency undermined public confidence.
While recent data shows diminishing E. coli levels at and near the spill site, Nicholas pointed out persistent high contamination elsewhere and urged residents to review public data for safe contact locations. She called for expanded testing farther downstream to rebuild trust.
On DC Water’s remediation plan—made public March 2 despite a February 20 draft date—Nicholas highlighted its narrow focus on the immediate site without addressing sediment contamination downstream. She noted economic impacts on residents, watermen, and others reliant on the river for livelihoods miles away remain unaddressed. Nicholas added that PRKN, described by DC Water at community events as an environmental partner, received no consultation on the plan’s sufficiency.
Nicholas expressed bafflement over the plan’s “draft” status and outdated date upon release.
PRKN continues advocating for:
- Real-time, publicly accessible water quality monitoring and clear health advisories
- Comprehensive ecological injury assessment and long-term restoration
- Protection and recovery of commercial and subsistence fisheries
- Accelerated investment in resilient wastewater infrastructure
- Transparent, science-driven governance and community engagement
With repairs projected to take months and potential intermittent overflows ongoing, Nicholas emphasized the crisis persists. She stressed the need for a response rooted in science, urgency, and accountability rather than delay or deflection.
PRKN pledges continued independent monitoring, public reporting, and advocacy to protect and restore the Potomac River and dependent communities.
Nicholas concluded: “Clean water is a public trust. This must be the turning point where we finally commit to safeguarding the Potomac for generations to come.”
The Department of Health lifted the advisory March 2, 2026, citing consistent testing showing bacterial levels within safe recreational ranges in the District’s portion of the river. The action followed the January collapse, with no additional overflows reported since early February as bypass systems and repairs advanced.
DC Water began environmental restoration at the site under a National Park Service permit issued February 28, including debris removal and contaminated material hauling, focused on the collapse area between Locks 10 and 14 in the C&O Canal.
The spill stemmed from a 72-inch pipe section failure during ongoing rehabilitation work, prompting bypass pumping to divert flow and contain further releases.
This event affects the broader Potomac watershed, including Southern Maryland communities downstream reliant on the river for recreation, fisheries, and economic activity.
