Virginia’s recreational water advisory has been lifted for the remaining part of the Potomac River affected by the Jan. 19 sewage spill, the state’s health department announced today (Tuesday).
The Virginia Department of Health’s advisory is no longer in effect in the Potomac River between the Capital Beltway/American Legion Bridge and Route 120/ Chain Bridge. The advisory, first issued Feb. 13, had been partially lifted on March 5 between Route 120 Chain Bridge to Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge in King George County. The change is effective immediately.
VDH said the advisory was a precaution after the spill that released an estimated 250 million of gallons of raw sewage into the river. The spill resulted from a pipe collapse in DC Water’s Potomac Interceptor along the Clara Barton Parkway near the Capital Beltway in Montgomery County, Md.
As of Saturday (March 14), DC Water had completed its emergency repairs and has returned the sewage flow from temporary bypass pumps to the Potomac Interceptor. The company will now turn its focus to rehabilitating more than 2,700 linear feet of pipe in the Potomac Interceptor, which carries an estimated 60 million gallons of wastewater daily from parts of Northern Virginia and Montgomery County, Md.
Water quality samples from Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and its D.C. and Maryland partners determined bacteria concentrations outside of the immediate spill sites are acceptable for recreational water use.
Montgomery County, Maryland has maintained an advisory for parts of the river within 200 feet of the Maryland shoreline Swainson Island and C&O Canal Lock 8, as well as land affected by the sewage overflow. Officials say the area immediately around the spill site is most likely impacted by runoff after the recent rainfall.
The Alexandria Health Department continues to monitor health data for signs of gastrointestinal illnesses or other illness tied to contaminated water. Officials say Alexandria’s drinking water is safe, as its sources are not impacted by the sewage spill.
The Alexandria Health Department, DC Water and Virginia Department of Environmental Quality will be part of Alexandria’s town hall on the Potomac Interceptor sewage spill response. The meeting will happen Thursday (March 19) at 7 p.m. in the Lee Center Auditorium (1108 Jefferson Street).
Residents may RSVP to attend and submit questions ahead of the meeting. There is also an option to attend virtually on Zoom or view a recording on YouTube after the meeting.
More from VDH on lifting the advisory:
Swimming or other activities in any natural body of water always pose some health risk because the water is not disinfected. Children under the age of five years, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of contracting illness from natural bodies of water. VDH recommends the following safety tips for people planning to swim, wade, kayak, canoe or go rafting in Virginia natural waters:
- Avoid getting water in your mouth. Never swallow water from an untreated water source.
- Don’t swim if you have broken skin. Bacteria, viruses and other organisms can infect wounds causing more serious illness.
- Shower with soap and water after recreating in natural waters.
- Don’t swim when you are ill.
- Avoid swimming if dead fish are present.
Following heavy rain events use extreme caution and avoid unnecessary risks if you encounter covered roads or fast-moving waters. The water may be deeper and moving faster than you think.
