Maryland
Emergency work underway on Potomac Interceptor in Maryland to protect drinking water – WTOP News
Crews began work Monday morning to rehabilitate a deteriorating 1,700 stretch of the regional Potomac Interceptor sewer line.
This page contains a video which is being blocked by your ad blocker.
In order to view the video you must disable your ad blocker.
DC Water to start emergency repairs on Potomac Interceptor to protect local drinking water supply
Crews began work Monday to rehabilitate a deteriorating 1,700-foot stretch of the regional Potomac Interceptor sewer line.
Last week, D.C. Water announced that inspections determined a portion of the Interceptor, located near Lock 22 on the C&O Canal, in Potomac, Maryland, was significantly corroded and had exposed and missing rebar inside the pipe.
Monday morning crews began laying what will be temporary overground bypass system to carry the Interceptor’s wastewater around the work site, while the compromised pipe is being replaced. A spill near the location of the emergency work could threaten much of the local drinking water supply.
The January 2026 collapse of the Interceptor along the Clara Barton Parkway, which spilled more than 240 million gallons of wastewater into the Potomac River, happened downstream of the drinking water intakes for all three local water suppliers — Washington Aqueduct, WSSC Water and Fairfax Water
However, if a spill occurred near Lock 22, that would jeopardize the drinking water intakes for WSSC Water and Washington Aqueduct. Fairfax Water’s intake is farther up river, and would not be affected.
D.C. Water expects the emergency work to last through September.
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
© 2026 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.