CLINTON — A reported leak of approximately 32,000 gallons of jet fuel from Joint Base Andrews into Piscataway Creek has added to longstanding environmental concerns for residents in southern Prince George’s County.
The spill, which reportedly continued from January until the full scale became publicly known last month, is equivalent to an entire fuel tanker truck or three Boeing 737s. More than six million people across Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., rely on the Potomac River for drinking water, and Piscataway Creek is one of its tributaries.
This latest incident comes on top of years of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances pollution linked to the same base. Maryland issued its first-ever fish consumption advisory for PFAS in Piscataway Creek after contamination affected fish in the waterway.
Residents along Piscataway Creek have expressed frustration over what they describe as a pattern of contamination, delayed disclosure and inadequate public accountability from the federal facility. Community members have questioned whether the repeated pollution events represent isolated accidents or a longer-term issue affecting the same neighborhoods.
Maryland Department of the Environment inspectors reportedly concluded that cleanup and containment efforts were minimal and insufficient. State officials and lawmakers have raised concerns about delayed reporting of the spill’s scale.
No one disputes the national security importance of Joint Base Andrews. However, communities in southern Prince George’s County — many of them historically Black communities that have long faced disproportionate environmental burdens — continue to live with the consequences of pollution tied to the base.
The persistent questions from residents include whether the water is safe, whether the fish are safe to eat, whether the soil is contaminated, and what measures will prevent future incidents.
Environmental advocates and local residents are calling for greater transparency, independent oversight, long-term monitoring, aggressive cleanup and meaningful enforcement when pollution laws are violated.
Southern Maryland communities that share the broader Potomac watershed are also affected by water quality issues originating upstream. Residents throughout the region can stay informed about water quality reports and any advisories issued by state environmental agencies.
Anyone with concerns about local water quality or environmental incidents can contact the Maryland Department of the Environment or their elected representatives for updates and information on ongoing monitoring and response efforts.
