Overview
- The Justice Department, which filed a Clean Water Act case Monday, says DC Water and the District allowed unlawful discharges after the Potomac Interceptor failed and it asks for civil penalties, rehabilitation projects, pollutant cleanup, and a stronger operations and maintenance plan.
- Maryland filed a separate action the same day in state court seeking penalties and costs, alleging DC Water neglected the line and relied on inadequate inspections that found widespread corrosion between 2011 and 2015.
- The crisis began January 19 when a 72‑inch section of the interceptor collapsed under the C&O Canal near Lock 12, and DC Water then used pumps and a stretch of the canal to move flow around the break.
- Pump clogs forced shutdowns that led to an estimated 500,000‑gallon spill on February 8, contributing to more than 200 million gallons of raw sewage released into the Potomac River, according to federal filings.
- Federal help followed a FEMA emergency declared by President Trump as the Army Corps built diversions, the EPA investigated, and DC Water says it halted discharges within 21 days, finished emergency repairs in 55 days, and returned the pipe to service last month, with both lawsuits now under review by the utility.