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‘It’s putrid!’: Glen Echo residents press officials after Potomac River sewage spill

Part of ventilation system designed to neutralize odors is damaged, officials say May 19, 2026 1:00 p.m. 12:28 p.m. People affected by the massive raw sewage spill into the Potomac River earlier this year shared ongoing concerns at a public meeting...

Dan Murphy • •1 min read
‘It’s putrid!’: Glen Echo residents press officials after Potomac River sewage spill
Environment & Climate

‘It’s putrid!’: Glen Echo residents press officials after Potomac River sewage spill

Part of ventilation system designed to neutralize odors is damaged, officials say

By

Kyle Cooper - WTOP

May 19, 2026 1:00 p.m. | Updated: May 19, 2026 12:28 p.m.

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    A creek along Clara Barton Parkway is covered in grey and white debris from raw sewage rushing through it following the Jan. 19 Potomac Interceptor sewer line collapse. Photo credit: Elia Griffin

    People affected by the massive raw sewage spill into the Potomac River earlier this year shared ongoing concerns at a public meeting in Glen Echo on Monday night.

    About 75 people packed Glen Echo Town Hall in person, and more joined online. Many did not give their names but raised a range of concerns.

    One man described the lingering smell of sewage: “I always open the window and it’s putrid!”

    “Our hometown river deserves better and our communities do as well,” he added.

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    Another woman raised a similar concern: “It’s really bad. I’m smelling it from my car on Clara Barton and on the bridge.”

    Read more on WTOP.com.

    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