US Government Files Lawsuit Over Potomac Sewage Spill

Tue Apr 21 2026 02:44:56 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Washington D.C. and the local water authority seeking financial accountability for a significant sewage spill into the Potomac River.

The U.S. Justice Department has taken legal action against Washington D.C. and DC Water over a severe sewage leak that released 244 million gallons of untreated waste into the Potomac River. The lawsuit claims negligence in maintaining the infrastructure, posing risks to public health. This complaint coincides with a separate suit filed by Maryland's Attorney General, both demanding accountability for environmental damage and the costs incurred through remediation efforts.

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 244 million gallons (924 million liters) of raw sewage into the Potomac River and highlighted the nation’s aging infrastructure.

The local water authority, DC Water, acknowledged that the pipe, first installed in the 1960s, was deteriorating, and rehabilitation work on a section about a quarter-mile (400 meters) from the break began in September and was recently completed.

The complaint alleges that DC Water failed to properly operate and maintain its sewer system, leading to untreated sewage contaminating the Potomac River and tributaries.

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

The lawsuit is one of two filed against DC Water on the same day. Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown also filed a separate action in Montgomery County Circuit Court seeking civil penalties and damages for costs arising from the contamination of the river. Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain stressed the utility must take full responsibility for the damage and act to prevent future spills.

DC Water stated it is “fully committed to the long-term rehabilitation” of the Potomac Interceptor and that its highest priority was to contain the overflow and repair the damaged section of the pipe. The agency claimed to have stopped all discharges to the Potomac River within 21 days, completing repairs of the affected segment in 55 days. They aim to expedite the rehabilitation of over 2,700 linear feet of pipeline in the area.

The leak has also sparked political responses, with President Trump blaming local Democratic leadership, notably Maryland’s Democratic Governor Wes Moore. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser declared an emergency in February, requesting assistance from Trump, who eventually issued an emergency declaration for federal aid.

Although the leak is largely controlled, full repair of the infrastructure may take months. DC Water, in conjunction with the EPA, is monitoring the environmental impact of the spill and proceeding with repairs.