Largest sewage spill in history draws concern for water infrastructure
On Jan. 19, 2026, a section of the 54-mile Potomac Interceptor (PI) sewer line collapsed in Maryland, leading an estimated 200 million gallons of wastewater into the Potomac River. The sewage spill was managed by DC Water, a public utility overseen by the EPA. DC Water says they are working immediately to divert wastewater from the broken pipe. The utility also stated drinking water was not impacted.
However,scientists and environmental advocates worry the effects of one the largest sewage spill in U.S. history will have on the contaminated areas. On Feb. 21, 2026, the President authorized FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief effort.
DC Water’s chief executive, David Gadis, released a public letter following the incident,” This incident has also underscored a broader reality facing utilities across the country: much of the infrastructure that protects our waterways was built decades ago, long before today’s environmental standards, population growth, and climate pressures.” He continued that the failed Potomac Interceptor was over 60 years old at the time of failure, reflecting a common trouble facing many public utilities.
“I love bridges, I love safe roads,” Gadis said in an interview with NPR, “but I also love unsexy pipes that are underground. We need to fix those.”
