Potomac River Sewage Spill Shows Need for Continued Sewer Line Upgrades Across Chesapeake Bay Watershed

Last week, a major sewer line collapse caused millions of gallons of untreated wastewater to spill into the Potomac River just north of Washington, D.C. in Montgomery County, Maryland. The responsible water authority, D.C. Water, is currently working to contain the sewage overflow and limit contamination from entering drinking water supplies and the Chesapeake Bay.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation Maryland Staff Scientist Gussie Maguire issued the following statement:

“Any amount of untreated sewage in our rivers and streams is unacceptable, but the volume of this spill is alarming. We are closely monitoring this incident and D.C. Water’s cleanup efforts – especially given additional challenges from snow, ice, and subfreezing temperatures.

“The Potomac River is one of the Chesapeake Bay’s largest tributaries and is the only source of drinking water for people in the D.C. area. Untreated sewage can contain toxic chemicals, microplastics, pharmaceuticals, excess nutrients, viruses, and bacteria. These pollutants can pose health risks to people and animals who come in contact with or ingest untreated water. Additionally, excess polluted nutrients that will be carried into the Chesapeake Bay can feed algal blooms, which in turn cause dead zones and fish kills.

“Maryland, D.C., and Virginia have made significant investments in recent years towards reducing wastewater pollution. However, this incident proves that consistent pipe and infrastructure maintenance, and continued diligence, are still needed to protect our drinking water and wildlife across the region.”