The cleanup and repairs are not expected to be completed for another four to six weeks.
WASHINGTON — Several agencies are warning people to stay away from the Potomac River four weeks after a sewage line collapsed and spilled hundreds of millions of gallons of wastewater.
On Jan. 19, a large section of the Potomac Interceptor sewer line collapsed along Clara Barton Parkway. Experts say the spill is catastrophic and has contaminated the river with more than 10,000 times the safe limit for E. coli.
Now, DC Water and the Virginia Department of Health, along with the Maryland’s health and environment departments, are telling people not to get close to the water, which could have serious health impacts until the cleanup is done.
“Residents and pets should not touch the Potomac River, or engage in any Potomac recreational activities including fishing,” DC Water wrote in a press release.
DC Water maintains that drinking water in the District is not affected.
Virginia’s Health Department said its working closely with the Maryland Department of Environment and Department of Health, which are responsible for shellfish closures, recreational advisories and water quality monitoring of the Potomac.
“However, Virginia residents are urged to use caution on the Virginia shoreline of the Potomac River between Swainson Island (overflow site) and Fletcher’s Boathouse,” the department wrote.
Shellfish growing areas were closed by Maryland.
Fairfax Water also uses Potomac river water, but Virginia Department of Health says their intake is far upstream from where the sewage entered the river, so it is not affected.
The cleanup and repairs are not expected to be completed for another four to six weeks.