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Virginia health officials have fully lifted the recreational water advisory for the Potomac River, ending nearly two months of restrictions that followed one of the largest sewage spills in the region's recent history.
The Virginia Department of Health announced the full lift Tuesday after DC Water successfully completed emergency repairs to the Potomac Interceptor pipeline on March 14 and water quality sampling by Virginia, Maryland and D.C. partners showed bacteria levels had returned to acceptable levels for recreational use.
The advisory — which at its broadest covered 72.5 miles of the Potomac — was first issued Feb. 13 following a Jan. 19 collapse of a 72-inch sewer main near the Clara Barton Parkway and I-495 interchange in Montgomery County, Maryland. More than 240 million gallons of raw sewage entered the river. The Alexandria Brief has covered the crisis since it began.
Alexandria's waterfront was cleared from the advisory on March 5, when a partial lift removed restrictions downstream while a 4.7-mile stretch near the spill site remained under warning due to persistently elevated E. coli levels. Tuesday's announcement clears that remaining section as well.
One narrow exception applies on the Maryland side: Montgomery County is maintaining an advisory for land areas affected by sewage overflow and portions of the river within 200 feet of the Maryland shoreline between Swainson Island and Lock 8, the areas most likely to be affected by storm runoff until remediation is complete.
Health officials cautioned that the full lift does not mean the river is without risk. People should avoid drinking untreated water, stay out of the water if they have open cuts, and shower with soap and water after any time in natural bodies of water. Those who become ill following water exposure should tell their doctor.
The Alexandria Health Department said it will continue monitoring local health data for any signs of gastrointestinal illness linked to the spill.
Residents will have a chance to ask questions directly of DC Water and health officials at a community town hall on Thursday, March 19, at 7 p.m. in the Lee Center Auditorium, 1108 Jefferson St. The Alexandria Health Department will be among those participating. RSVPs and advance questions are being accepted. Alexandria was the first Virginia jurisdiction to hold a public hearing on the crisis.
For repair updates, visit DC Water's website. For ongoing Virginia information, visit vdh.virginia.gov/news/potomac-sewage-spill/. Residents with questions can call AHD at 703-746-4988 during normal business hours or submit them via Alex311.
