DC DRINKING WATER IS A SAFE AND SEPARATE SYSTEM AND IS NOT IMPACTED BY THE SEWAGE RELEASE. 

However, because the Potomac River flows downstream from Maryland into Washington, the portion of the river in the District is affected by this spill. 

Until we know more, all DC residents and visitors should avoid unnecessary contact with water from the Potomac River. Avoid fishing. Keep pets away from the Potomac River. 

A major concern with untreated sewage is the presence of a bacteria commonly called “E. coli.” "E. coli, when it reaches certain levels, is dangerous to human beings. Sewage also contains other bacteria, viruses, and harmful chemicals. 

Aside from its risk to humans, raw sewage is also harmful to the environment. 

Most importantly, drinking water is safe and is not impacted by the sewage release.  The flow of sewage into the Potomac River has occurred downstream of any drinking water intake from the river.   

• Everyone: Avoid unnecessary contact with water from the Potomac River. 

• Vulnerable Populations: Immunocompromised individuals, parents of newborn infants, and others who may be especially at risk from infection should exercise special caution around the river. However, to repeat, all individuals should currently avoid contact with the river. 

• Pet Owners: Always keep pets on a leash and prevent them from drinking or wading in the water. 

• Boaters and Anglers: DOEE recommends that boating and angling in the Potomac be avoided until additional test results come in. If you touch the water, wash hands and any gear or clothing that comes in contact with the water promptly and thoroughly. 

• Anglers: DOEE recommends that fishing in the Potomac be avoided until additional test results come in. For fish caught in the anacostia, please consult DOEE’s additional guidance for fishing and fish consumption. 

• Walkers and Cyclists: The C&O canal towpath remains open. There is fencing protecting the public from the sewage contained in the canal bed.    

Swimming is already prohibited in District waters. You should not swim in the river.

 Wash the affected area as soon as possible. If you think you have become sick from sewage, contact your health provider. Symptoms can vary, but may include diarrhea, fever, cramps, nausea, coughing, vomiting, headache, weakness, loss of appetite, and fatigue. 

 Currently, sewage from the broken pipe is being temporarily put into a small section of the empty C&O canal, then being pumped back into the pipeline. This is preventing additional sewage from going into the Potomac River.

It is not safe to touch raw sewage. Airborne risks should be unlikely but at-risk or vulnerable individuals should be cautious. Potential impacts from being on the public paths near the portion of the C&O canal where sewage is being pumped include: - A slight risk of airborne exposure to inhaling microorganisms that could lead to illness;

• Risk of headaches, nausea, and/or breathing problems caused by exposure to sewage gasses; and
• The potential accidentally to touch contamination in areas where sewage may have spilled, but it is no longer visible.These hazards are of greater concern for immunocompromised individuals, the elderly and infants, and toddlers. 

The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water) is a public utility responsible for water and sewage in the District of Columbia. DC Water is currently working on measures to contain the spill and repair the pipeline. 

The DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) is the DC Government agency responsible for environmental and energy programs in the District of Columbia. DOEE is working to monitor impacts from this spill in the District, and will also monitor the long-term impacts to fish, wildlife, and the river. 

Right now, dozens of local, state, and federal agencies are working collaboratively to monitor the progress of repairs and impacts on the downstream community.

E. coli is typically used as an indicator for all types of bacteria and viruses that can be harmful to human health. Simply put, E. coli measurements are used as a standardized test to determine if the water is safe. 

There is natural bacteria present in all bodies of water, and low levels are considered safe. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, along with the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, and other states, use a consistent standard level to determine if a body of water is safe for recreation. This level is 410 MPN/100 mL for E. coli, which means 410 colonies of E. coli bacteria in a 100 mL sample of water. 

If testing numbers show levels below 410 MPN/100ML (marked in green), then the water is considered safe for recreation according to DC and federal standards. However, due to the continued uncertain nature of the spill, and the fact that weather conditions (such as ice on the river) may impact test results, DOEE recommends continued precautions and avoiding contact with the Potomac River until these results can be confirmed by longer-term sampling.

 DOEE’s water quality monitoring team is collecting weekly samples from the Potomac and Anacostia rivers. Results from these samples are posted in the table below. DOEE will be conducting weekly sampling, posted on Fridays. 

In addition to DOEE’s results, DC Water is conducting daily testing at several sites in the Potomac, with their results posted here: News | DC Water. 

Linked here are ongoing testing results from DC Water, Potomac Riverkeeper, and DOEE, along with the locations of the testing sites. 

If E. Coli Levels Are Within Safe Recreational Levels (Below 410 MPN/100 ML), Why Is The District Advising The Public To Avoid Contact With The River And To Avoid Fishing? 

Due to the continued uncertain nature of the spill, and the fact that weather conditions (such as ice on the river) may impact test results, DOEE recommends continued precautions and avoiding contact with the Potomac River until these results can be confirmed by longer-term sampling. 

DOEE wants to ensure we are measuring consistently safe results before revising this guidance. 

Map of Sampling Stations for DC Water (blue dots) and DOEE (pink dots). 

Multiple state and federal agencies are cooperating to oversee the repair operations and protect the environment, including the Maryland Department of Environment (MDE), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the District Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), and National Park Service (NPS). DOEE and EPA are inspecting the bypass weekly to ensure that DC Water is doing everything possible to prevent overflows, contain and mitigate any overflows that occur, as well as plan for comprehensive environmental restoration. 

On January 29, 2026, DC Water began daily bacteria monitoring at 6 locations. DOEE has increased the frequency of E. coli monitoring from monthly to weekly and is exploring partnerships to add more locations. Early data has shown significant bacteria reductions in the 2 weeks after the bypass was installed. DOEE is conducting weekly bacteria monitoring on both the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers. 

DOEE is planning fish and wildlife surveys beginning in the spring (some as early as late February) that will help indicate if the sewage spill has larger impacts.

Aside from its risk to humans, raw sewage is harmful to the environment. Solids in sewage can smother aquatic habitats. Plants and animals can suffer infections from the bacteria, viruses and other pathogens; they can also suffer from acute toxicity in sewage chemicals. In the days following the spill, several fish kills were reported but not verified, and icy conditions prevented immediate surveying.

 Long-term impacts are still being evaluated. However, the natural flow of the river will help to mitigate impacts from the spill over time.    

• Water Quality: Models estimate that water takes approximately 3 weeks to flow through the District’s portion of the river (roughly from Chain Bridge to the I495 Wilson Bridge). As temperatures warm bacteria levels may fluctuate as sewage from the collapse that is trapped in ice will be released into the water column, along with snowmelt and urban runoff that carries additional pollution from other sources. 

• Sediment: The natural flow will help to renew shoreline and river bottom sediments. DOEE will continue to monitor potential impacts. 

• Fish: DOEE has not received any reports of fish kills in the District. Anglers and the general public who observe a fish kill (50 or more dead fish floating on the surface of the water), should contact DOEE’s Fisheries and Wildlife Division at (202) 535-2260 with the following information: exact location of the floating fish and date, time, and the extent of the fish kill observed. DOEE biologists will monitor fish populations across the District throughout the spring, summer, and fall as a part of our regular fisheries surveys. 

• Wildlife: DOEE and its partners have not received any reports of sick, injured, or dead wildlife associated with areas in the District downstream from the spill. Members of the public who observe sick or injured wildlife should call City Wildlife at (202) 882-1000 (between 9 am - 5 pm daily) or Brandywine Valley SPCA at (202) 888-7387 (after 5 pm). Members of the public should report dead wildlife to DOEE’s Fisheries and Wildlife Division at (202) 535-2260 with the following information: exact location of the dead wildlife and date, time, and number of animals observed. DOEE biologists will monitor wildlife populations across the District throughout the spring, summer, and fall as a part of our regular wildlife surveys. 

DC Water publishes daily updates on response operations related to infrastructure repair, containment of the sewage, environmental monitoring, and restoration planning. Read their updates here: News | DC Water.

Right now, sewage is being diverted into a small Maryland portion of the C&O Canal to prevent additional contamination to the Potomac River. There have not been any spills in the river reported by DC Water since February 9th.

The Potomac River is a 405-mile-long natural river that flows from West Virginia, through DC, and into the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal is a historic shipping lane constructed on the north side of the Potomac River. It runs nearby, but separate from, the Potomac. It goes 185 miles from Washington, DC west to Cumberland, Maryland. It became a national park, owned by the federal government, in 1971. Today, the canal is not in use and is empty.

Because the canal was dry and lined with clay, which prevents leaks, it was temporarily used to pump and store sewage, keeping it out of the river. About a quarter mile of the canal in Maryland is being used for this purpose. After this incident is over and repairs are complete, the canal will likely require environmental cleanup efforts.