Justice Department Sues D.C. Over Massive Sewage Leak Contaminating Potomac River

Tue Apr 21 2026 01:53:58 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The U.S. Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against D.C. officials following a significant sewage leak that saw millions of gallons of raw sewage dumped into the Potomac River. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about aging infrastructure in urban areas.

The Justice Department's lawsuit targets Washington D.C. and its water authority, DC Water, after a breakdown in a major sewage pipeline led to 244 million gallons of raw sewage spilling into the Potomac River. Local officials have acknowledged the problem, indicating prior knowledge of the pipeline's deteriorating condition. This incident has raised alarms regarding the management of the aging waste infrastructure and public health risks.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department filed a complaint Monday in federal court against the city of Washington, D.C., and its water and sewer authority, seeking financial penalties for their role in a leak that led to millions of gallons of raw sewage spilling into the Potomac River.

The complaint stems from a massive leak in a 72-inch (183-centimeter) pipeline, called the Potomac Interceptor. The pipe collapsed on January 19, shooting sewage out of the ground and into the river just north of Washington in Montgomery County, Maryland. The leak spilled approximately 244 million gallons (924 million liters) of raw sewage into the Potomac and highlighted issues of the country’s aging infrastructure.

DC Water officials acknowledged that they were aware of the deteriorating condition of the pipeline, which was first installed in the 1960s, and confirmed that rehabilitation work was initiated on a section about a quarter-mile (400 meters) from the break in September, which was subsequently completed.

The legal complaint alleges that DC Water failed to adequately operate and maintain its sewer system in a manner that would prevent untreated sewage from entering the Potomac River and other areas with potential human contact.

“DC Water’s failure to maintain the Potomac Interceptor resulted in raw sewage flowing into the Potomac River and the surrounding environment, posing a direct risk to public health,” stated Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson. “As cities grow and infrastructure ages, cities must invest in their wastewater systems to prevent such catastrophes.”

This lawsuit was one of two filed against DC Water on the same day. Additionally, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown filed another action in Montgomery County Circuit Court seeking civil penalties and damages due to the contamination of the river. “The utility must take full responsibility for the damage caused and take immediate and lasting action to prevent future spills,” emphasized Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain.

In a response, DC Water reaffirmed its commitment to the long-term rehabilitation of the Potomac Interceptor, noting that the priority was to contain the overflow and perform repairs on the damaged section of the pipeline, which had been completed within 55 days. The agency is now working to accelerate the rehabilitation of over 2,700 linear feet of pipeline in the area that was scheduled for improvement.

The recent sewage leak has become the focal point of political controversy after President Donald Trump placed the blame on local Democratic leaders. In response to an emergency request from Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser, Trump issued an emergency declaration days later, resulting in expedited federal assistance.

As repairs are underway, DC Water and the Environmental Protection Agency continue to monitor the river's recovery from this major leak.