Maryland’s Attorney General along with the Department of the Environment filed a lawsuit against DC Water, seeking penalties and damages following a break in the Potomac Interceptor sewer line and resulting sewer spill.
On Jan. 19, a 72-inch section of the Potomac Interceptor sewer line collapsed, sending about 240 million gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac River for eight days. It did not affect drinking water because the reservoir is located upstream.
What the Lawsuit Says
“The suit alleges that DC Water was aware that the over half-century old Potomac Interceptor showed signs of corrosion yet failed to properly assess the risks and delayed initiating capital improvements,” according to Brown.
“Millions of gallons of raw sewage in the Potomac River does not just disappear, it damages ecosystems and harms communities, and it demands accountability,” Brown said. “DC Water knew this aging infrastructure was corroding, yet it delayed repairs and failed in its duty to protect this treasured waterway, failures that we allege constitute gross negligence. We are going to court to make sure they make it right for Marylanders,” he wrote in a statement.
Environmental Costs
“The Potomac River belongs to the people of Maryland, and we expect it to be fully restored to health,” said Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain. “The utility must take full responsibility for the damage caused and take immediate and lasting action to prevent future spills. The river is part of our identity, our economy, and our way of life.”
The complaint was filed in Montgomery County Circuit Court. Maryland is asking the court to impose civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day for each violation, order DC Water to pay for all environmental testing and cleanup costs, cover damages for the lost value of the state’s natural resources and issue an order to permanently stop any future unauthorized sewage discharges.
