Stay out of the Potomac, officials warn after 200M-gallon sewage spill

Officials in D.C., Maryland and Virginia are urging people to stay out of the Potomac River after an underground sewer pipe collapse sent more than 200 million gallons of raw sewage into the water.

D.C. Water says the spill is not affecting drinking water, but officials warn the river may pose health risks, especially for anyone with open cuts. The utility says most of the discharge — about 194 million gallons — occurred over the last five days.

D.C. Water says it is working with federal, state and local regulators on an environmental restoration plan that will be released once approved. Environmental groups have criticized the utility’s response, saying the incident is being downplayed and cleanup could take months.

People were still walking along the waterfront in Old Town Alexandria despite the warnings, as officials continued to stress: do not touch the water.