Potomac River water advisory remains in effect with no end date; Virginia testing water for bacteria
Alexandria health officials say no uptick in gastrointestinal illnesses observed locally
The recreational water advisory for the Potomac River remains in effect with no end date, the Alexandria Health Department said Friday, one week after the Virginia Department of Health first issued the warning over sewage spills in the waterway.
People and pets should continue to avoid swimming, kayaking, wading and other water activities in the river, officials said. Alexandria’s drinking water remains safe.
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality collected water samples on Wednesday to test for bacteria, AHD said. Results are pending.
“As more details emerge about testing, AHD will share them with our community,” the department said.
The health department said it does not have a role in testing the water but is monitoring local health data. As of this week, officials have not seen any uptick in gastrointestinal illnesses commonly associated with contaminated water.
VDH issued the advisory on Feb. 13 out of an abundance of caution following a sewage spill in the Potomac River on Jan. 19 and a reported sewage discharge on Feb. 7. The advisory area extends 72.5 miles from the American Legion Memorial Bridge in Fairfax County to the Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge in King George County.
Mayor Alyia Gaskins said Friday in a video update that she had planned to meet with officials working on the sewage response, but the meeting was postponed after those officials were called to the White House. The meeting is now scheduled for Monday.
“As I get more information, I will make sure that you get that information as well,” Gaskins said.
The city is working to post warning signs at Alexandria’s water access points. Some waterfront areas popular with residents, including around Jones Point, fall under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service. AHD said it has shared signage requests with NPS for those areas.
Residents with questions can email alexehhealth@vdh.virginia.gov or call AHD during normal business hours at 703-746-4988.
Updated Feb. 20, 2026, at 9:20 a.m. to include comments from Mayor Alyia Gaskins’ Friday video update, including that a meeting with officials working on the sewage response was postponed after those officials were called to the White House.