{"id":17751,"date":"2026-03-17T15:32:41","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T19:32:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/?page_id=17751"},"modified":"2026-03-23T09:34:20","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T13:34:20","slug":"vdh-lifts-potomac-river-recreational-water-advisory","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/public-relations-contacts\/2026-news-releases\/vdh-lifts-potomac-river-recreational-water-advisory\/","title":{"rendered":"VDH Lifts Potomac River Recreational Water Advisory"},"content":{"rendered":"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE \u2013\u00a0<\/span>March 17, 2026<\/span>
\n<\/span>Media Contact:<\/span><\/b> Linda Scarborough,\u00a0<\/span>Linda.Scarborough@vdh.virginia.gov<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

VDH Lifts Potomac River Recreational Water Advisory<\/strong><\/p>\n

RICHMOND, Va. \u2013\u00a0Effective\u00a0immediately, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is lifting the remaining\u00a0<\/span>recreational water advisory<\/span><\/a>\u00a0for the Potomac River from\u00a0<\/span>the American Legion Memorial Bridge (I-495) to the Route 120 Chain Bridge<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

An initial\u00a0advisory was issued February 13, out of an abundance of caution due to\u00a0a\u00a0<\/span>sewage spill in the Potomac River<\/span><\/a>\u00a0that occurred January 19, and\u00a0subsequent\u00a0reports of a sewage discharges in early February.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u00a0indicate\u00a0bacteria 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\u00a0maintaining\u00a0an advisory for the land areas\u00a0impacted\u00a0by the sewage overflow and portions of the river within 200 feet of the Maryland shoreline between Swainson Island and Lock 8.\u00a0\u00a0This 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\u00a0monitor\u00a0sampling data as available.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.\u00a0VDH recommends the following safety tips for people planning to swim, wade, kayak, canoe or go rafting in Virginia natural waters:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n