Justice Department Takes Action Against DC Water Over Sewage Leak

Tue Apr 21 2026 02:26:39 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The DOJ has filed a complaint against Washington, D.C.'s water authority following a massive spill that sent millions of gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac River.

The U.S. Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against Washington, D.C. and the DC Water authority for their failure to maintain a crucial sewage pipeline, which resulted in the spill of 244 million gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac River. The complaint highlights the risks posed to public health due to aging infrastructure. Maryland's Attorney General has also filed separate legal action for damages related to the contamination. DC Water asserts its commitment to repair efforts and infrastructure improvement to prevent recurrence.

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, shedding light on the country’s aging infrastructure.

The local water authority, DC Water, had acknowledged that the pipe, first installed in the 1960s, was deteriorating, citing that 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 in a manner that keeps untreated sewage out of the Potomac River and tributaries, posing serious risks to public health. “DC Water’s failure to maintain the Potomac Interceptor resulted in raw sewage flowing into the Potomac River and the surrounding environment," said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson. "As cities grow and infrastructure ages, cities must invest in their wastewater system to prevent such catastrophes.”

The complaint was one of two filed against DC Water on the same day. Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown filed a separate action in Montgomery County Circuit Court seeking civil penalties and damages for costs arising from the contamination of the river. “The utility must take full responsibility for the damage caused and take immediate and lasting action to prevent future spills,” stated Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain.

In response, DC Water stated it was “fully committed to the long-term rehabilitation” of the Potomac Interceptor and emphasized their priority to address and contain the overflow, completing crucial repairs to prevent further discharges into the river within weeks following the incident.

The leak drew political backlash, particularly from President Donald Trump, who criticized local Democratic leadership, especially Maryland’s Governor Wes Moore. Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser declared an emergency and requested federal assistance, which was granted by Trump, providing crucial support in the aftermath of the incident.

While the leak situation is under control, full repairs may take months, and DC Water continues to collaborate with the EPA to monitor the river’s condition.