Non-disposable wipes clog pumps, cause more sewer overflow into Potomac

DC sewer overflow continues as wipes clog pumps

Two pipes clogged with non-disposable wipes, leading to multiple overflows into the Potomac River after a massive pipe collapsed last month.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Efforts to contain one of the Washington, D.C., region's largest environmental emergencies faced a setback this week.

What we know:

A major blockage caused an estimated 600,000 gallons of additional sewage to spill into the Potomac River over the weekend, complicating the ongoing response to a massive pipe collapse that occurred in January.

The latest incident was triggered by two pipes becoming clogged with non-disposable wipes, according to DC Water.

Officials say the accumulation of non-disposable wipes, combined with increased water and toilet usage and runoff from melting snow, led to the additional overflow.

Dig deeper:

D.C. Water also admitted to a reporting error regarding water quality samples. 

Officials clarified that a sample taken Friday in the affected area of the Potomac actually contained levels of E. coli bacteria 100 times higher than initially reported.

DC Water warns Potomac sewage spill may last another 4–6 weeks

Raw sewage is still flowing into the Potomac River, and D.C. Water now says repairs on a ruptured sewer line could take another 4 to 6 weeks. The break involves a 72-inch-diameter, roughly 60-year-old Potomac Interceptor sewer line near the American Legion Bridge. Crews are working to repair the line and contain the spill, but D.C. Water says the job has been complicated by the discovery of huge rocks in the area. The Potomac Riverkeeper Network says testing with the University of Maryland is finding fecal-related bacteria in the river, including E. coli and MRSA. River levels are also low due to drought conditions, which advocates say could make it harder for the river to "flush" the contamination. The D.C. Department of Energy and Environment is warning the public — and pets — to avoid contact with the water, while noting that D.C. drinking water remains safe.

The backstory:

This latest spill is part of a larger, months-long crisis. Crews have been working around the clock near Lock 10 to repair a pipeline section that collapsed in January. 

The initial collapse has already resulted in at least 240 million gallons of raw sewage entering the Potomac.

The current clogs are impacting pumping capacity at a critical time when crews are attempting to install bypass pumps to manage the flow while permanent repairs are made.

Nearly 300 million gallons of sewage has entered Potomac River: PRKN

The Potomac Riverkeeper Network says new water sampling results from the recent sewage spill shows far more severe contamination than first believed. 

What you can do:

Officials urge the public to be mindful of what they flush to avoid further stressing the compromised infrastructure as work continues at the site.