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Tag: c&o canal

  • DC Water looks toward long-term cleanup of C&O Canal, Potomac River – WTOP News

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    Later this week, DC Water expects to begin excavating near the collapsed section of the Potomac Interceptor sewer line to assess the damage to the pipe and remove boulders wedged inside. At the same time, plans for long-term cleanup are coming together. 

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    See what’s keeping sewage spill away from Potomac River

    D.C. Water is making long-term plans to cleanup land near the C&O Canal — as well as the Potomac River. (WTOP/Neal Augenstein)

    Later this week, D.C. Water expects to begin excavating near the collapsed section of the Potomac Interceptor sewer line, to assess the damage to the pipe and remove boulders wedged inside.

    At the same time, plans for long-term cleanup are coming together.

    It’s been about a month since the Jan. 19 break, which spilled millions of gallons of untreated wastewater into the Potomac River. The utility is prioritizing emergency repairs and beginning to develop long-term plans to clean up land near the C&O Canal — as well as the Potomac River.

    As of Wednesday morning, D.C. Water has installed six of seven high-capacity pumps, a few hundred yards above the collapse site, under the exit ramp off the American Legion Bridge onto the Clara Barton Parkway.

    The pumps are diverting sewage from above the collapse point to an isolated section of the C&O Canal, to bypass the break, before being steered back into the Interceptor below the damaged pipe.

    This week, after blocking wastewater flow to the collapse site, D.C. Water will finally be able to see the extent of the damage, remove the rock dam and replace the pipe. The utility estimated it will be 4 to 6 weeks until normal flow is returned to the Interceptor.

    “I think the best thing D.C. Water can do right now is to get that emergency repair done, so that we eliminate the risk of overflow, and can eliminate the use of that bypass system,” said D.C. Water spokeswoman Sherri Lewis, echoing the priorities of CEO David Gadis, in a Feb. 11 open letter.

    Nearby, the smell of sewage is obvious, and visual evidence of the spill, including toilet paper, hangs on underbrush in the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park.

    “This is one of the areas, obviously, that we are working on, as far as our environmental restoration plans,” Lewis said.

    “We’re working with our federal, state and local regulators on what that environmental restoration plan will entail, and we’ll start that work as soon as we get that plan approved, and we’ll certainly release that to the public.”

    Earlier this week, President Donald Trump said the Federal Emergency Management Agency will play a key role in coordinating the response.

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    © 2026 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Neal Augenstein

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  • Watch: See what’s keeping sewage spill away from the Potomac River – WTOP News

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    In the month since a major section of the Potomac Interceptor sewer line collapsed near the Clara Barton Parkway, spilling hundreds of millions of untreated into the Potomac River, D.C. Water is nearing a crucial point in the recovery process.

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    See what’s keeping sewage spill away from Potomac River

    In the month since a major section of the Potomac Interceptor sewer line collapsed near the Clara Barton Parkway, spilling hundreds of millions of gallons of untreated wastewater into the Potomac River, D.C. Water is nearing a crucial point in the recovery process.

    Five high-capacity pumps have been installed to facilitate the utility’s near-term goal of reaching the break in the massive sewer pipe and removing boulders wedged inside the broken Interceptor.

    The bypass pumps will increase D.C. Water’s ability to divert sewage upstream of the pipe collapse into an isolated section of the C&O Canal.

    A few hundred yards downstream, D.C. Water has installed three wastewater flumes that steer the sewage from the canal back into the Interceptor for the duration of its trip to the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant.

    Later this week, after a steel bulkhead is completed and the pump system is coordinated and checked, D.C. Water spokeswoman Sherri Lewis said the goal is to drop a gate to block sewage from entering the damaged section of pipe.

    “That’s going to keep that downstream section by the collapse site as dry as possible, so we can go in and safely remove the rock dam that is blocking our access to the damaged section,” Lewis said.

    “Over the past week, we’ve brought in five more high-capacity pumps because we were facing challenges with wipes that were clogging the pumps,” she added. “And when they have to get taken out of service, particularly during a high-flow period, we run the risk of having an overflow situation and having that wastewater go into the Potomac.”

    Lewis said the extra pumps add redundancy to the system.

    “With all the pumps we have on site, once they are all in place and operational, we will have the ability to pump more than 100 million gallons a day, which is well over the capacity that flows through the Potomac Interceptor,” she said.

    With the pump bypass system diverting sewage temporarily into the C&O Canal, the utility company estimates it will take approximately four to six weeks to remove the boulders and replace the broken pipe.

    After the emergency work is completed, D.C. Water will accelerate a section of the planned rehabilitation of the Interceptor, which is scheduled to take approximately nine months.

    Lewis said the utility is already coordinating with other agencies about long-term cleanup plans to ensure human and environmental safety along the portion of the canal that has been used as the bypass; in addition to D.C. Water’s promises of doing what is necessary to ensure the health of the Potomac River.

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    © 2026 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Neal Augenstein

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  • Bypass brings DC Water close to containing C&O Canal sewer overflow – WTOP News

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    D.C. Water said major progress has been made in its efforts to contain a sewer overflow that began after a section of the Potomac Interceptor collapsed along Clara Barton Parkway.

    D.C. Water said substantial progress has been made in its efforts to contain a major sewer overflow that began after a 72-inch section of the Potomac Interceptor collapsed one week ago along Clara Barton Parkway.

    The collapse triggered a significant sanitary sewer overflow into the C&O Canal National Historical Park.

    The Potomac Interceptor is a 54‑mile sewer line that carries roughly 60 million gallons of wastewater a day from communities near Dulles International Airport, Loudoun and Fairfax counties, the towns of Vienna and Herndon, and parts of Montgomery County to the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant in the District.

    In the days after the Jan. 19 failure, crews assisted by the National Park Service worked nonstop to clear access, install pipes and build a temporary bypass system. The system is designed to divert wastewater upstream of the collapse, route it through a dry stretch of the C&O Canal and return it to the sewer line downstream.

    D.C. Water said the bypass became operational Wednesday night. Six large pumps are now moving wastewater around the damaged section, and flow returning to the sewer system has increased by about 40 million gallons per day.

    Potomac River Keeper Dean Naujoks, holds a biohazard collection bag while standing alongside the site where a massive pipe rupture has sent sewage spilling into the Potomac River, Friday, Jan. 23, 2026 in Glen Echo, Md. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

    Some wastewater is still escaping near the break, which D.C. Water said is expected while the collapsed pipe continues to drain. Additional pumps are being brought in to help reach full containment.

    With the bypass running, D.C. Water said crews will begin excavating and inspecting the collapsed pipe segment, removing debris, stabilizing the surrounding ground and developing a long‑term repair plan. The utility has not yet said how long permanent fixes will take.

    The collapse caused wastewater to spill into a creek bed that leads to the Potomac River. D.C. Water said once repairs are complete, the agency and its partners, including the National Park Service and the Maryland Department of the Environment, will survey affected areas for erosion, debris removal and any environmental cleanup.

    D.C. Water said drinking water remains safe and unaffected. The District’s drinking water system is separate from its wastewater system, and the overflow occurred downstream of the Washington Aqueduct’s intake points. Intake structures at Little Falls were also closed as a precaution.

    The collapse occurred just east of the Interstate 495 interchange along Clara Barton Parkway and initially forced the closure of the right inbound lane.

    The public is asked to avoid posted areas along the canal or river. Anyone with questions can contact D.C. Water at 202‑354‑3600 or its 24‑Hour Command Center at 202‑612‑3400.

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    © 2026 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Matt Small

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  • Sewer line collapse triggers wastewater spill into C&O Canal near Clara Barton Parkway – WTOP News

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    A section of a sewer line collapsed late Monday, overflowing into the C&O Canal Park.

    A major sewage spill could have some effect for commuters using the Clara Barton Parkway this morning. And a lot of repairs still need to be done. WTOP’s Neal Augenstein is near the C&O Canal (WTOP/Neal Augenstein)

    D.C. Water crews are racing to build an emergency bypass system after a major section of a sewer line collapsed late Monday along Clara Barton Parkway in Montgomery County, triggering a significant sanitary sewer overflow into the C&O Canal National Historical Park.

    D.C. Water and contractors are working to build a bypass system to carry 60 million gallons of wastewater daily from areas in Virginia out to Dulles as well as Montgomery County to the Blue Plains treatment plant.

    The collapse involves a 72-inch section of the Potomac Interceptor, a 54-mile sewer line that carries roughly 60 million gallons of wastewater a day from communities near Dulles International Airport, Loudoun and Fairfax counties, the towns of Vienna and Herndon, and parts of Montgomery County, to the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant for treatment.

    To contain the overflow, D.C. Water is constructing a temporary bypass designed to divert wastewater upstream of the collapse.

    On Wednesday, D.C. Water said crews were mobilized to clean up debris and install pipes in preparation for the bypass. In a news release, the utility company said pumps that will redirect the wastewater could be implemented as early as this weekend.

    The plan says flow will be routed through a dry stretch of the C&O Canal — a temporary channel, then go back into the Potomac Interceptor downstream of the damaged section. Officials say the bypass is critical to stopping additional overflow and protecting the Potomac River and surrounding environment.

    Once the bypass is operational and flows are under control, crews will excavate the damaged area to assess the extent of the collapse and determine how long permanent repairs will take.

    On Thursday, D.C. Water and the National Park Service will begin to remove certain upper lock gates needed to accommodate the bypass.

    D.C. Water stressed that the incident does not affect drinking water. The District’s drinking water system is completely separate from the wastewater system and water service remains safe and uninterrupted.

    The overflow is located downstream from the Washington Aqueduct’s intakes at Great Falls, and intakes at Little Falls have also been closed as a precaution.

    The collapse is located just east of the I-495 interchange along Clara Barton Parkway, forcing the closure of the right inbound lane.

    Drivers heading toward D.C. should expect delays during the morning rush and are encouraged to use alternate routes. The public is reminded to avoid contact with raw sewage that may carry bacteria and viruses

    If you have additional questions or need information, you may contact DC Water’s Customer Care team at (202) 354-3600 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or the 24-Hour Command Center at 202-612-3400.

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    © 2026 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Will Vitka

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  • DC’s newest free tour offers a historic glimpse into its canal waterways you can’t find anywhere else – WTOP News

    DC’s newest free tour offers a historic glimpse into its canal waterways you can’t find anywhere else – WTOP News

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    WTOP’s Matt Kaufax uncovered the wonder of LocktoberfestDC, and consumed the quintessential D.C. trifecta of bikes, beers and a little obscure U.S. history.

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    Explore DC’s historic canals in a new, one-of-a-kind tour

    A brand-new fall tour allows you to explore a different side of D.C.: its canals.

    You know — those little waterways you sometimes pass by around town.

    In today’s episode of “Matt About Town,” WTOP’s Matt Kaufax uncovered the wonder of LocktoberfestDC and consumed the quintessential D.C. trifecta of bikes, beers and a little obscure U.S. history!

    The free tour, which only runs once annually, is happening on Sept. 28 this year. Organizer Tom Haser, who founded LocktoberfestDC in conjunction with the National Park Service, told WTOP two walking and two biking tours will be offered.

    Along the tour route, you’ll ride for approximately 6 miles along the path of the city’s historic waterways, like the C&O and Washington City canals, while also passing by some of D.C.’s most iconic landmarks and monuments at dusk.

    Haser told WTOP the idea for the tour came from a desire to tell the story of D.C.’s lockkeepers, workers who presided over the 70+ canal gates that enabled boats to pass through D.C.’s canal system back in the 19th century. In the early to mid 1800s, D.C.’s canals were vital to getting around the District — and business was booming!

    The tour’s feature attraction is the Lockkeeper’s House on the National Mall, which sits just across the street from the Washington Monument. Matt learned that this home used to be a waterfront property, back when D.C.’s canal system ran directly through what is now Constitution Avenue.

    This is just one example of the many cool history facts you might uncover on this tour. But, as Matt found out, LocktoberfestDC doesn’t just focus on learning.

    The tour ends in Northwest D.C. at a popular German biergarten, Sauf Haus, where all guests can reward themselves with beer, brats and pretzels for completing the trek, and ring in the fall season properly!

    This technically isn’t the first year of LocktoberfestDC. Haser told WTOP they did a smaller version last year — as kind of a prototype. But 2024 is the first year they’re really going all out — as Matt realized when he rented a bike and went on this one-of-a-kind adventure!

    To sign up to be a part of Locktoberfest before Sept. 28, you can visit www.locktoberfestdc.org! Spots are offered on a first come first serve basis, and all you need to bring is yourself and (if you choose the biking option) your own set of wheels!

    Hear “Matt About Town” first every Tuesday and Thursday on 103.5 FM! 

    If you have a story idea you’d like Matt to cover, email him, or chat with him on Instagram and TikTok.  

    Check out all “Matt About Town” episodes here!

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    © 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Matt Kaufax

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