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Public Safety

Emergency work underway on Potomac Interceptor to protect drinking water

D.C. Water inspections found significant corrosion on portion of sewer line in Potomac Crews began work Monday to rehabilitate a deteriorating 1,700-foot stretch of the regional Potomac Interceptor sewer line. Last week,D.C. Water announced that...

Dan Murphy • •1 min read
Emergency work underway on Potomac Interceptor to protect drinking water
Environment & Climate

Emergency work underway on Potomac Interceptor to protect drinking water

D.C. Water inspections found significant corrosion on portion of sewer line in Potomac

By

Neal Augenstein - WTOP

June 16, 2026 6:29 p.m.

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    D.C. Water said starting Monday, June 15, crews will begin repairing 1,700 linear feet of the sewer line at Muddy Branch near Pennyfield Lock.
    D.C. Water crews on Monday began repairing 1,700 linear feet of the Potomac Interceptor sewer line at Muddy Branch near Pennyfield Lock in Potomac. Photo credit: Neal Augenstein/WTOP

    Crews began work Monday to rehabilitate a deteriorating 1,700-foot stretch of the regional Potomac Interceptor sewer line.

    Last week, D.C. Water announced that inspections determined a portion of the Interceptor, located near Lock 22 on the C&O Canal in Potomac was significantly corroded and had exposed and missing rebar inside the pipe.

    Monday morning crews began laying what will be temporary overground bypass system to carry the Interceptor’s wastewater around the work site, while the compromised pipe is being replaced. A spill near the location of the emergency work could threaten much of the local drinking water supply.

    Read more on WTOP.com.

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    This article was written by Bethesda Today’s partner WTOP News and republished with permission. Sign up for WTOP’s breaking news, traffic and weather alerts and emails today.

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    Originally published at Bethesdamagazine