Feds and Maryland sue DC Water over Potomac River sewage spill

The federal government and Maryland filed lawsuits against DC Water three months after a massive pipeline rupture released billions of gallons of sewage into the Potomac River.

The rupture of the sewage pipeline on Jan. 19 sent more than 240 million gallons of sewage into the Potomac River. While a temporary bypass stopped further contamination into the river, more than 2 billion gallons of wastewater were still diverted through the C&O Canal until repairs were completed.

Maryland’s attorney general alleged that DC Water was negligent and asked the courts to hold the water utility company responsible for the cost of the cleanup and restoration of the river and parkland.

“I think that’s the only way to really hold DC Water accountable,” Dean Naujoks, the Potomac River Keeper, said.

“I don’t think DC Water was ever going to, beyond fixing the Potomac Interceptor pipe, address impacts to downstream users, and I think that’s a very important reason why the Maryland Attorney General had to get involved,” Naujoks added.

The ongoing cleanup process along the river and canal will take months to complete.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Justice, on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), filed its own action against DC Water under the Clean Water Act, claiming the water utility failed to properly operate and maintain the underground sewer line.

News4 reached out to DC Water’s CEO, David Gadis, but he declined to comment. A spokesperson issued the following statement instead:

“From the outset, DC Water’s highest priority was to safely and quickly contain the overflow and repair the damaged section of the Potomac Interceptor. Crews implemented an emergency bypass system that successfully managed the majority of the overflow within five days and fully stopped all discharges to the Potomac River within 21 days. The repairs of the affected segment were completed in 55 days. Initial environmental remediation efforts are also nearly complete, with ongoing water quality testing showing that downstream conditions have returned to normal and have remained stable for several months. In addition, recent testing results continue to indicate low bacteria levels near the site of the break.”

“Obviously, I think it’s a good thing that you have both agencies that are holding DC water accountable. This is a major spill and the impacts on the river,” Naujoks expressed.

DC Water estimates the cost of the repair and cleanup at $20 million, and most of the cost would be paid by Maryland and Virginia.

News4 reached out to Mayor Bowser’s office to see if D.C. was considering any legal action but has not received a reply.