DC Water

Crews inside the Potomac Interceptor assessing conditions and documenting the interior of the pipe.

Crews inside the Potomac Interceptor assessing conditions and documenting the interior of the pipe.

Thank you for your patience as this work continues.

Work is progressing inside the Potomac Interceptor as crews continue assessing conditions and clearing large rocks, boulders, and other material from within the pipe. Teams have been on-site around the clock and are moving steadily through each stage of the stabilization process.

Repairs remain on track for completion by mid-March. Daily water quality sampling continues, and DC Water will share updates as crews clear the site and move into the next phase of restoration.

Mayor Muriel Bowser, DC Water’s GM/CEO David L. Gadis, and crews stand with regional and federal partners during a site visit. They are wearing hard hats and safety vests while observing the bypass pumping system and ongoing restoration work at the Potomac Interceptor collapse site.

Mayor Muriel Bowser, DC Water’s GM/CEO David L. Gadis, and crews stand with regional and federal partners during a site visit. They are wearing hard hats and safety vests while observing the bypass pumping system and ongoing restoration work at the Potomac Interceptor collapse site.

Mayor Muriel Bowser, DC Water’s GM/CEO David L. Gadis, and crews stand with regional and federal partners during a site visit. They are wearing hard hats and safety vests while observing the bypass pumping system and ongoing restoration work at the Potomac Interceptor collapse site.

Mayor Muriel Bowser, DC Water’s GM/CEO David L. Gadis, and crews stand with regional and federal partners during a site visit. They are wearing hard hats and safety vests while observing the bypass pumping system and ongoing restoration work at the Potomac Interceptor collapse site.

These measures have prevented wastewater from entering the Potomac River. No overflows to the river have occurred since February 8. @mayorbowser.dc.gov visited the site today with our GM/CEO David L. Gadis to see progress and the ongoing pumping operations firsthand.

Workers in protective gear stand near an excavator and traffic cones outside the collapse site, where large rocks and debris have been staged during ongoing excavation work.

Workers in protective gear are standing inside the deep excavation area at the collapse site. They are manually digging out mud and debris from around the damaged section of pipe so engineers can continue clearing and assessing the area.

Workers in protective gear are standing inside the deep excavation area at the collapse site. They are manually digging out mud and debris from around the damaged section of pipe so engineers can continue clearing and assessing the area.

Workers in protective gear are standing inside the deep excavation area at the collapse site. They are manually digging out mud and debris from around the damaged section of pipe so engineers can continue clearing and assessing the area.

Crews have reached the damaged section of the Potomac Interceptor and are removing debris to fully expose the pipe. A steel bulkhead is now in place, and the enhanced bypass system continues diverting flow safely. 🔗 www.dcwater.com/about-dc-wat...

Image shows collapse site with water drained following successful testing of bulkhead and enhanced bypass system

Crews at the Potomac Interceptor have drawn down water and are clearing debris so excavation can begin. No overflows reaching the Potomac since Feb 8. With soil still saturated, crews are stabilizing the area and moving carefully to protect workers and the repair. 🔗 www.dcwater.com/about-dc-wat...

Crews are working around large temporary bypass pipes near the Potomac Interceptor work zone.

Sections of black bypass piping laid out above ground and supported by wooden framing.

This image highlights active excavation, pipe placement, and pump installation as part of the ongoing emergency repair effort.

Workers in safety gear operate excavators, pumps, and machinery beneath an overpass, with sections of black bypass piping laid out above ground.

Crews have successfully tested the bulkhead system and the enhanced bypass pumps at the Potomac Interceptor. Six of seven new high-capacity pumps are online, and the full bypass system should be operational by week’s end, allowing emergency repairs to start. 🔗 www.dcwater.com/about-dc-wat...

Emergency repairs of the Potomac Interceptor will take 4–6 weeks. Crews are close to completing the enhanced bypass system, which will allow repairs to begin soon. Added pumps are online and no overflow events were reported. Next step: install the bulkhead gate. 🔗 www.dcwater.com/about-dc-wat...

Water from the temporary bypass system discharges through a large pipe into a nearby waterway as the first high-capacity pump operates.

The enhanced bypass system is now moving flow through the temporary piping. Three high-capacity pumps are running at the site, with more expected to come online soon to handle increased flows from upcoming rain and snowmelt.

Water from the temporary bypass system discharges through a large pipe into a nearby waterway as the first high-capacity pump operates.

The enhanced bypass system is now moving flow through the temporary piping. Three high-capacity pumps are running at the site, with more expected to come online soon to handle increased flows from upcoming rain and snowmelt.

A deep rectangular pit with wood framing and freshly poured concrete, where crews are constructing the bulkhead inside the damaged pipe section.

A long black discharge pipe sits on snowy ground, running through a wooded area as part of the temporary bypass system.

Crews are also installing the new discharge pipe for the temporary bypass system and pouring concrete for the bulkhead inside the damaged section. The bulkhead will allow safe removal of the rock obstruction.

Workers stand beside an open access pit where the top of the pipe has been cut open. Large pumps and equipment sit staged behind the trench as crews fuse new suction piping.

Crews continued major progress today. The access pit has been opened, additional pumps were delivered to the site, and suction lines are being fused as the enhanced bypass system comes together. No overflow events have been reported in the last 24 hours. Details: www.dcwater.com/about-dc-wat...

Pastel Valentine’s Day candy hearts scattered on a surface. Three hearts feature DC Water messages: ‘Safe Water,’ ‘Lead Free DC,’ and ‘For Everyone.’

Roses are red, violets are blue, replacing lead service lines is what we do. 💙

Why spend Valentine’s Day alone when you have us? We’re working to deliver new pipes to all homes across the District.

Learn more or check your line: dcwater.com/lead
#LeadFreeDC

DC Water crews wearing safety vests, hard hats, and gloves pour flowable fill into an open excavation from a cement truck chute.

Freshly patched section of roadway on 14th Street surrounded by three orange traffic cones. The concrete surface shows a square repair area where crews stabilized underground infrastructure before reopening the street to traffic.

Thank you for your patience as we worked to protect the roadway and support a safe reopening. 🙌

Roses are red,
Concrete is gray,
14th Street’s reopened 
We’re clearing the way. 💧

Reopened at 4:15 p.m. after crews stabilized ~600 feet of pipe w/200 cubic yards of flowable fill.

Learn more▶️: www.dcwater.com/about-dc-wat...

DC Water GM/CEO David L. Gadis sits and gestures while speaking with COO Matt Brown, who stands beside him wearing a yellow safety jacket during a Potomac Interceptor site visit.

A new high-capacity bypass pump arrives tomorrow to help crews isolate the damaged pipe on the Potomac Interceptor so they can safely start rock removal. No overflow events reaching surface waters have been reported in the past 24 hours. 🔗 www.dcwater.com/about-dc-wat... #DCWater

A cement truck is positioned at the 14th St NW worksite with its metal chute extended over an excavation. Workers stand nearby as part of the tunnel stabilization work. Buildings and traffic barriers line the background.

The abandoned tunnel on 14th St NW was identified during our ongoing work in the area. DC Water’s inspection programs help us flag aging or outdated infrastructure so crews can address conditions like this safely and prevent future issues. #DCWater

Crews stand around an open excavation on 14th St NW, where a pipe opening and nearby utility vault connections are exposed. Construction tools and safety cones surround the work area.

We’re also reconnecting nearby utility vaults to an active sewer before completing the fill. This work requires the northbound lanes to remain closed for now, but we’re still aiming to reopen as early as this weekend, weather permitting. #DCWater

14th St NW Update: Crews began filling the abandoned sewer tunnel with flowable fill yesterday. This concrete mix is pumped through existing access points to stabilize the tunnel and support the roadway above. #DCWater

DC Water earns high marks from S&P, Moody’s and Fitch in latest credit ratings - including 10 straight years with "AAA" credit rating from S&P. Maintaining strong credit helps lower borrowing costs and supports more affordable water & sewer rates for our customers. 🔗 www.dcwater.com/about-dc-wat...

Nighttime photo at the Potomac Interceptor work zone near the damaged pipe section, taken after Monday night’s overflow. Construction crews and equipment are working beside an earthen dam and trench area under bright work lights, with gravel, framing, and traffic cones visible.

Pumping challenges continue at the damaged Potomac Interceptor. Two pumps clogged with non-disposable wipes Monday night, causing an overflow and contained on-site. E. coli levels remain elevated at collapse site, downstream levels remain below EPA standards. 🔗 www.dcwater.com/about-dc-wat...

Close-up of a wastewater pump intake clogged by a large bundle of non-disposable wipes and debris. The material is wrapped tightly around the pipe, showing what crews removed during cleaning.

A significant overflow occurred overnight after pump capacity dropped during a high-flow period. A smaller overflow earlier was contained. New pumps may arrive this week to help stabilize the system. Water quality sampling continues at Lock 10 and other sites. 🔗 www.dcwater.com/about-dc-wat...

Northbound lanes of 14th St NW, from L St to Thomas Circle, remain closed due to the risk of roadway collapse over an abandoned sewer tunnel. Detours are in place. Closure expected through the end of the week, weather permitting. Thanks for your patience. 🔗 www.dcwater.com/about-dc-wat...

Hi, thanks for flagging! If this is still active, please call DC Water at 202-612-3400 so crews can assess and respond as quickly as possible. You can also DM us the address so we can flag it.

Interceptor site. New access points are underway to support safe rock removal. No overflows reported and downstream water-quality results remain within EPA standards. Full update: www.dcwater.com/about-dc-wat... #DCWater

Weekend Traffic Alert 🚧
Northbound lanes of 14th St NW, from L St to Thomas Circle, will be closed while crews inspect and repair a 42-inch sewer line. We appreciate your patience during this work. #DCWater

Large rock on gravel at a construction site with an excavator in the background.

Close-up of a large rusted metal debris bin sitting on gravel beside several medium and large rocks at the construction site.

A new review shows 243M gallons overflowed from the Potomac Interceptor collapse, mostly early in the incident. Recent sampling meets EPA ranges at most sites. Crews are preparing equipment to reach the damaged pipe and continue repair work. 🔗 www.dcwater.com/about-dc-wat... #DCWater

Inside the Potomac Interceptor sewer tunnel, where large rocks and debris are visible on the tunnel floor beneath wet, stained walls.

New CCTV inspections found a much larger rock blockage in the damaged Potomac Interceptor. Crews are adding a new access pit and 5 more pumps (13 total) to safely divert flow and remove the rocks, estimated to take 4-6 weeks for system to be ready. Details: www.dcwater.com/about-dc-wat... #DCWater

Work continues on Potomac Interceptor repairs near Clara Barton Pkwy. Large rocks remain a challenge for clearing debris inside the pipe. Clogged pumps and snowmelt caused limited overflows early in the week, but none today.

Details▶️: www.dcwater.com/about-dc-wat... #DCWater

Crews continue cleaning inside the Potomac Interceptor, and no overflow has reached the waterway.

They’ve removed 9 tons of debris, containment & bypass pumping stay steady, and a second access point is being prepared for downstream cleaning. Sampling shows declining bacteria levels near Lock 10.