For immediate release: May 5, 2023

The City of Alexandria is currently working to address a sanitary sewer overflow that occurred in the vicinity of Valley Drive and W. Braddock Road, at the Timber Branch stream (map below). The overflow does not affect household water supply or drinking water, but people and pets are advised to avoid having contact with the water in Timber Branch from Valley Drive/West Braddock Road downstream to Hooffs Run in the African American Heritage Park for the next 48-72 hours.

City staff were notified about an unspecified discharge in the morning hours and, once staff arrived onsite, determined the cause of the discharge to be sewer related. A crew was then dispatched to the site where they worked to clear out a blockage in the sanitary sewer pipe. The blockage in the sewer was cleared at around 12:45 p.m. and the overflow of sewage into Timber Branch has ceased.

Signs have been posted in areas where the public has access to the stream to direct them to avoid contact with the water until further notice.

Contact the City immediately using Alex311 if you see or smell anything out of the ordinary in Alexandria’s waterways.

For inquiries from the news media only, contact the Office of Communications & Public Information at newsroom@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3969.

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This news release is available at alexandriava.gov/go/4592.