Justice Department files complaint against Washington and its sewage authority for massive spill
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department filed a complaint in federal court Monday against the city of Washington, D.C., and its water and sewer authority, seeking financial penalties for their roles in the crimes. a leak This led to millions of gallons of raw sewage spilling into the Potomac River.
The complaint stems from a major leak in a 72-inch (183-centimeter) pipeline called the Potomac Interceptor. When the pipe collapsed on January 19, sewage rushed out of the ground and flowed into the river just north of Washington in Montgomery County, Maryland. The spill caused 244 million gallons (924 million liters) of raw sewage to spill into the Potomac River and shed new light on the Potomac River. the country’s aging infrastructure.
The local water authority, DC Water, said it was aware of the failure of the pipe, which was first installed in the 1960s, and that rehabilitation work on a section about 400 meters from the break began in September and was recently completed.
The complaint alleges that DC Water failed to properly operate and maintain its sewer system to keep untreated sewage away from the Potomac River and its tributaries and other areas where there is a risk of human contact.
“DC Water’s failure to maintain the Potomac Interceptor caused raw sewage to flow into the Potomac River and the surrounding environment, posing a direct risk to public health,” Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson said in a statement. “As cities grow and infrastructure ages, cities need to invest in wastewater systems to prevent such disasters.”
The complaint was one of two filed against DC Water on Monday. Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown filed a separate lawsuit in Montgomery County Circuit Court seeking civil penalties and damages for costs resulting from the river’s contamination.
“The company must take full responsibility for the damage caused and take immediate and permanent measures to prevent future leaks,” Maryland Department of Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain said in a statement.
DC Water said in a statement that it is “fully committed to the long-term rehabilitation” of the Potomac Interceptor. The agency added that its top priority was to control the overflow and repair the damaged section of pipe, and it did so by “completely stopping all discharges into the Potomac River within 21 days.” Repairs of the affected section were completed in 55 days. DC Water is currently working to expedite the rehabilitation of more than 2,700 linear feet of pipeline in this area that was previously scheduled to be rehabilitated.”
The statement stated that both cases were “under investigation.”
The leak sparked political accusations from President Donald Trump, who blamed local Democratic leaders and focused specifically on Maryland’s Democratic Governor Wes Moore. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser declared an emergency in February and asked Trump for help. He published a emergency notification Days later, this provided immediate federal aid.
The pipe was put into operation again last month Emergency repairs have been completed.
The leak is largely under control, but it may take months for the pipe to be completely repaired. DC Water is working with the EPA to repair the leak and monitor the impact on the river.
