A class-action lawsuit has been filed against DC Water over a 243-million-gallon sewage spill that released untreated wastewater into the Potomac River earlier this year.
The lawsuit, filed March 6 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, alleges DC Water failed to properly maintain a vital section of its wastewater infrastructure, the Potomac Interceptor sewer line. The plaintiffs claim the failure caused widespread river contamination and economic harm to people who rely on it for recreation and business.
According to the complaint filed by Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP, a 72-inch section of the Potomac Interceptor collapsed Jan. 19 along the Clara Barton Parkway near the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park.
The Potomac interceptor carries wastewater from parts of Virginia and Maryland to the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant in Washington, D.C. The system normally transports about 60 million gallons of wastewater each day for treatment.
The lawsuit alleges DC Water knew sections of the interceptor were deteriorating but failed to take proper steps to prevent a collapse. The complaint cites previous inspections identifying corrosion and structural concerns within the pipeline system.
Plaintiffs claim the spill polluted the river, disrupted recreation and caused financial losses for residents and businesses that depend on the waterway. The lawsuit seeks damages and court orders requiring infrastructure improvements and stronger safeguards.
DC Water has acknowledged the pipeline failure and said emergency crews installed a bypass system to reroute wastewater while repairs continue. The utility also launched water-quality monitoring and environmental-response efforts after the spill.
The Maryland Department of the Environment classified the incident as a sanitary sewer overflow caused by infrastructure failure and issued public health advisories following the spill due to elevated bacteria levels in parts of the river.
The case is in its early stages. A federal judge will determine whether it can proceed as a class-action lawsuit representing property owners, businesses and others affected by the spill.
