American Rivers Calls for Swift, Coordinated Action to Protect Public Health and Repair Infrastructure After Potomac River Sewage Spill
Contact: Hawk Hammer, National Communications and Media Director, Hhammer@americanrivers.org
WASHINGTON D.C. — American Rivers is calling on local, state, and federal leaders to act quickly and cooperatively to contain the damage, protect downstream communities, and repair the failed Potomac Interceptor Sewer Line, whose break led to hundreds of millions of gallons of sewage spilling into the Potomac River.
“The Potomac is the backdrop to the nation’s capital and deserves our utmost care and stewardship—as do rivers across our country. They are vital to strong, healthy communities, economies, and access to nature,” said Tom Kiernan, president and CEO of American Rivers. “As someone who grew up on the Potomac and cares for it deeply, let’s put politics and party allegiance aside and come together to help save this river.”
Between 200 and 300 million gallons of untreated sewage are estimated to have entered the river over a roughly 10-day period beginning on January 19 while crews installed bypass pumping and stabilized the system. Sewage contains high levels of bacteria, forever chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and other chemicals that can kill fish, insects, and other wildlife and create significant public health risks.
“We are encouraged by President Trump’s support for cleaning up the Potomac River, as every day such concentrated sewage sits in the Potomac is a threat to the ecosystem and the surrounding community,” said Kiernan. “We hope that this catastrophe is a wake-up call on water infrastructure needs that unites leaders at every level so that they can work together to respond to this crisis.”
The Potomac Interceptor was constructed in the 1960s as part of the region’s expanding wastewater conveyance system and was approaching the end of its design life when it burst. It had been scheduled for repairs in the coming months. Its aging status is emblematic of a nationwide problem that cannot continue to go unaddressed.
“Congress needs to do its job and fully fund water infrastructure at the levels communities need. Lawmakers have the ability to support major repairs that local utilities cannot tackle alone, yet critical water infrastructure funding is sitting idle. Congress must move this funding forward now,” said Gary Belan, senior director of Clean Water Supply for American Rivers.
The Potomac River is a primary source of drinking water for the communities surrounding it. According to D.C. Water, the drinking water supply was not impacted. Public health authorities are encouraging people to stay out of the water in impacted areas.
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American Rivers is a national conservation organization working to make every river clean and healthy for people and wildlife. We combine evidence-based solutions with enduring partnerships to safeguard the 4.4 million miles of rivers and streams that are essential to our nation’s clean drinking water, extraordinary wildlife, and strength of our communities. For more than 50 years, our staff, supporters, and partners have been driven by a common belief: Life Depends on Rivers. AmericanRivers.org