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Massive sewage spill flowing into Potomac River upstream from Washington

DC Water is installing pumps to divert about 40 million gallons of sewage daily from a ruptured 72-inch pipe into the C&O Canal to protect the Potomac River.

  • Late Monday a 72-inch sewer pipe collapsed in Montgomery County along Clara Barton Parkway, sending sewage into the Potomac River and prompting area closures near the C & O Canal National Historic Park.
  • The sewer system handles 60 million gallons daily, highlighting the scale of the failure, and aging pipes underscore the need for hundreds of billions in national infrastructure funding.
  • DC Water is hooking up pumps to divert sewage around the rupture so crews can make repairs, while pumps move flow into the canal and crews remove lock gates on the C & O Canal for a temporary bypass.
  • Officials say the drinking water system is not affected, but high concentrations of sewage create a public health sampling risk amid the Potomac River's low water conditions.
  • Repair crews will work through the weekend amid a forecast major winter storm, and Dean Naujoks, Potomac Riverkeeper, said `Oh my god, the smell is horrific.` as local observers were stunned.
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62 Articles

CNNCNN
+35 Reposted by 35 other sources
Lean Left

Massive sewage spill flowing into Potomac River upstream from Washington

A massive pipe that moves millions of gallons of sewage has ruptured and sent wastewater flowing into the Potomac River northwest of Washington, D.C., polluting it ahead of a major winter storm that has repair crews scrambling.

·Atlanta, United States
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A huge pipeline carrying millions of gallons of waste water broke and shipped waste water to the Potomac River north-west of Washington, DC, polluting it before a major winter storm that has repair teams working in a hurry. DC Water, which operates the sewage system, is installing pumps to divert waste water around the rupture and allow equipment to perform repairs. People have been warned to stay away from the area and wash their skin in case o…

·Washington, United States
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Associated Press NewsAssociated Press News
+19 Reposted by 19 other sources
Lean Left

Massive sewer spill flowing into Potomac River upstream from Washington

A massive pipe rupture has sent sewage spilling into the Potomac River. The spill is turning part of the river gray upriver of Washington D.C.

·United States
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Las Vegas Sun broke the news in Las Vegas, United States on Friday, January 23, 2026.
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