A catastrophic sewage spill in late January released nearly 300 million gallons of untreated waste into the Potomac River near Lockhouse 10 — contaminating waters across Maryland, DC, and downstream Virginia.

Independent monitoring by Potomac Riverkeeper Network documented bacterial contamination thousands of times above safe recreation standards, with pollution spreading miles downstream and putting anyone in contact with the water at risk.

Raw sewage carries disease-causing pathogens, toxic chemicals, and pollution that can persist longer in winter conditions — making immediate public health warnings essential.

Our Demand

We call on Washington, DC, and the Commonwealth of Virginia, and local county health departments to:

• Issue immediate public health advisories warning against water contact, kayaking and water recreation, fishing, and pet exposure.

• Provide transparent, real-time water-quality data, focusing on marinas and public river recreational areas..

• Investigate the causes and conditions behind the Potomac Interceptor break

• Coordinate regionally to ensure consistent protections.

• Commit to long-term monitoring, accountability, and infrastructure reform.

• Study the risks of bioaccumulation in freshwater fish, and consequently, health risks to subsistence anglers in the Potomac

Clean water depends on transparent governance, proactive infrastructure investment, and independent oversight — and this disaster shows why those safeguards matter.

Take Action

Tell DC and Virginia leaders: Protect the public. Issue health advisories now.