Sewage Spill in the Potomac River

Drinking Water ♦ Shellfish Closures ♦ Recreation

On January 19, a sewer line in Montgomery County, Maryland, collapsed, causing an overflow of more than 200 million gallons of wastewater into Potomac River. On January 24, DC Water completed a bypass to reroute wastewater around the collapsed section of pipe and back into the sewer system. In the beginning of February, additional overflows occurred.

This map shows the location of the sewage release along with five other sites along the Potomac River where bacteria samples were collected by DC Water
This map shows the location of the sewage release along with five other sites along the Potomac River where bacteria samples were collected by DC Water. Map Courtesy of DC Water.

DC Water is handling the repairs to the pipe. Updates on repairs can be found on the DC Water page. Maryland has regulatory authority over the Potomac River for issuing shellfish closures and recreational advisories as well as water quality monitoring.

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is working with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and the Maryland Department of Health (MDH). VDH has a long-standing relationship with these agencies navigating pollution events and water quality monitoring in the Potomac River and have been in constant communication since the event occurred.

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality is conducting regular water quality testing to assess the impacts of this spill as it continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of Virginians.

Drinking Water

The nearest Virginia locality using the Potomac River as a primary source of water is Fairfax. Fairfax Water's Potomac River intake is located several miles upstream of where the sewage spill enters the Potomac and is therefore not impacted.

DC Water has stated its drinking water is NOT affected by this incident.

Shellfish Closures

At this time, Virginia shellfish growing areas are not impacted by the sewage spill.

On February 17, VDH staff conducted a routine seawater sampling run for shellfish growing areas from Colonial Beach to the 301 Bridge, collecting 36 water samples in total. Based on the laboratory analyses, there was no elevated fecal coliform bacteria concentrations, with the vast majority of the samples were at or below the detection limit for the test.

VDH collected an additional 37 routine samples on February 26, further downstream in Westmoreland County near Coles Point, at shellfish growing areas including Lower Machodoc, Gardner, Jackson and Bonum Creeks.  These samples also showed no elevated bacterial concentrations.

The map shows the 36 locations shellfish growing areas from Colonial Beach to the 301 Bridge where VDH conducted a seawater sampling on Feb. 17.

Please note, the areas shown in red are shellfish harvesting condemnations that existed prior to the Potomac River spill.  More information on those closures is available at the links below:

https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/20/cond001A-036.pdf
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/20/cond001-088.pdf
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/20/cond003-001.pdf

On March 10, MDE lifted the shellfish closure that was issued January 25.

Recreation

On March 17, VDH fully lifted the recreational water advisory.

The advisory was issued February 13, out of an abundance of caution, due to a sewage spill in the Potomac River that occurred January 19, and subsequent reports of a sewage discharges in early February. On March 3, VDH partially lifted the recreational water advisory for the portion of the Potomac River from the Route 120 Chain Bridge to the Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge (Route 301) in King George County.

On March 14, DC Water successfully completed emergency repairs and returned the sewage flow to the Potomac Interceptor. Water quality sampling results collected by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Maryland, and Washington DC partners indicate bacteria concentrations in the Potomac River outside of the immediate spill site are at levels acceptable for all recreational water use.

Virginia residents are advised that Montgomery County, Maryland, is maintaining an advisory for the land areas impacted by the sewage overflow and portions of the river within 200 feet of the Maryland shoreline between Swainson Island and Lock 8.  This area closest to the spill site is most likely to be affected by runoff, especially after storm events until all remediation efforts are complete. The Virginia Department of Health will continue to monitor sampling data as available.

Swimming or other activities in any natural body of water always pose some health risk because the water is not disinfected. Children under the age of five years, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of contracting illness from natural bodies of water. VDH recommends the following safety tips for people planning to swim, wade, kayak, canoe or go rafting in Virginia natural waters: 

  • Avoid getting water in your mouth. Never swallow water from an untreated water source. 
  • Don’t swim if you have broken skin. Bacteria, viruses and other organisms can infect wounds causing more serious illness. 
  • Shower with soap and water after recreating in natural waters. 
  • Don’t swim when you are ill. 
  • Avoid swimming if dead fish are present. 
  • Following heavy rain events use extreme caution and avoid unnecessary risks if you encounter covered roads or fast-moving waters. The water may be deeper and moving faster than you think. 

For more information on recreational water safety, visit www.SwimHealthyVA.com.

Advisories

Recreational

Montgomery County (MD) Advisory 

Last Updated: March 23, 2026