Justice Department files complaint against Washington and its sewage authority for massive spill
The Justice Department sued Washington, D.C., and its sewer authority over a massive sewage spill into the Potomac River.Summary
The Justice Department filed a complaint against the city of Washington, D.C., and its water and sewer authority (DC WASA) for a significant sewage leak that released 244 million gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac River. The leak, originating from a collapsed 72-inch pipeline known as the Potomac Interceptor, occurred in January 2024 and was discovered in Montgomery County, Maryland. This incident has highlighted concerns about the nation’s aging infrastructure and prompted the Justice Department to seek financial penalties for the resulting environmental damage. The complaint alleges violations of the Clean Water Act and seeks to compel the defendants to address the infrastructure issues that led to the spill and prevent future occurrences. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Maryland Department of the Environment are also involved in addressing the consequences of the spill.
(Source：The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)