Federal authorities have filed a Clean Water Act enforcement action against the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water), following the collapse of a major wastewater pipeline that prompted a federal emergency declaration and raised concerns about critical infrastructure resilience in the National Capital Region.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) allege that DC Water failed to maintain the Potomac Interceptor—a 54-mile pipeline carrying roughly 60 million gallons of wastewater daily—leading to its collapse and the unauthorized discharge of raw sewage into the Potomac River.
The incident triggered a multi-week federal response earlier this year, highlighting vulnerabilities in essential water infrastructure serving the nation’s capital.
Critical Infrastructure Failure in the Capital Region
The Potomac Interceptor is a key component of the region’s wastewater system, supporting hundreds of thousands of residents and businesses across Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Its failure disrupted a major sanitation artery and contaminated a federally significant waterway.
According to the complaint, DC Water:
- Ignored warning signs of imminent infrastructure failure
- Failed to properly maintain the interceptor system
- Discharged untreated sewage without authorization
- Did not adequately mitigate environmental damage after the collapse
While the utility implemented a temporary diversion through the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal, federal officials say the measure polluted a national park and failed to prevent continued contamination of the Potomac River.
