Potomac ranked most endangered

The Potomac River was ranked the most endangered river in the United States this week after a report cited a record sewage spill and fast-growing data center development in its watershed. (americanrivers.org) American Rivers released its 2026 list on April 13 and said the Potomac’s problems center on two recent pressures: a January 19 sewer collapse and the “unchecked” spread of water-intensive data centers in Northern Virginia and nearby Maryland. The group said the river basin is home to more than 7 million people and the Potomac is a primary drinking-water source for Washington and surrounding communities. (americanrivers.org) The sewage crisis began when a 72-inch section of the Potomac Interceptor failed near the Clara Barton Parkway and the Capital Beltway. DC Water said about 243 million gallons of wastewater overflowed into the river before emergency bypass pumping and repairs stabilized the system. (dcwater.com) DC Water restored full flow to the interceptor on March 14 and said drinking water was not affected, but health agencies issued recreational warnings while river testing continued. District officials lifted their advisory on March 2 after three weeks of safe sampling, while Maryland and Virginia eased restrictions on their own timelines. (dcwater.com) (thedailyrecord.com) The new fight is over what large server campuses mean for a river system that already handles sewage, stormwater and drinking-water demand. American Rivers said roughly 300 data centers now sit in the Potomac watershed and warned that their water use, runoff and backup-power infrastructure can add pressure to water quality and supply. (thedailyrecord.com) (americanrivers.org) Stormwater is rain that runs off roofs, roads and construction sites instead of soaking into the ground. Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality says that runoff carries sediment and pollutants into streams and regulates it through statewide permits and land-disturbance rules. (deq.virginia.gov) The report calls on Maryland, Virginia and federal agencies to tighten oversight of wastewater systems and to measure the cumulative effects of data centers and related infrastructure across the watershed. It specifically points to stronger stormwater and wastewater discharge standards, siting reviews, spill planning and long-term water-supply analysis. (americanrivers.org) DC Water has defended its response and, in a March condition assessment, said it reviewed inspection records, engineering reports and video from the failed pipe segment after the collapse. The utility has also posted inspection records and public updates as questions have grown over why reinforcement work had been delayed. (dcwater.com 1) (dcwater.com 2) The Potomac now sits at the center of a regional argument that stretches from sewer maintenance in Maryland to land-use decisions in Virginia. What happens next will be decided less by one ranking than by whether local and state agencies change how they permit growth and maintain aging pipes along the river. (fox5dc.com) (americanrivers.org)