Alexandria Health Department (AHD) is informing the community that the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has fully lifted the recreational water advisory on the Potomac River – including the area where a partial lift remained. 

With the recreational water advisory lifted, VDH still encourages people to be safe when swimming in natural, untreated waters like the Potomac River. 

About the Lift

On March 14, DC Water successfully completed emergency repairs and returned the sewage flow to the Potomac Interceptor. Water quality sampling results collected by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Maryland, and Washington, D.C., partners indicate bacteria levels in the Potomac River outside of the immediate spill site are acceptable for recreational water use. VDH will continue to monitor sampling data as available.

Montgomery County, Maryland, is maintaining an advisory for the land areas impacted by the sewage overflow and portions of the river within 200 feet of the Maryland shoreline between Swainson Island and Lock 8. This area closest to the spill site is most likely to be affected by runoff, especially after storm events until all remediation efforts are complete. 

What Residents Should Do

Although the advisory has been lifted, people should always be safe when swimming or spending time in bodies of natural water. Germs in untreated water can cause illness, especially among young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.

Here are some general tips for anyone going in natural waters like rivers, beaches, and creeks:

• Never drink water from an untreated source, and try to avoid getting natural water in your mouth.
• Don’t swim in open waters if you have cuts or broken skin.
• Don’t swim in places if you see dead fish.
• Shower with soap and water after you spend time in natural waters.
• If you get sick and think it may be related to untreated water, tell a doctor.  

What’s Next

AHD remains committed to protecting our community’s health. For questions about water safety or health concerns, call your healthcare provider or contact AHD at 703.746.4988 during normal business hours. 

AHD continuously monitors local health data for any signs of illness, including any gastrointestinal illnesses commonly related to contaminated water. We will continue to share any health updates with our community. 

Additionally, AHD plans to join the upcoming Town Hall on the Potomac Interceptor Response at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 19 in the Lee Center Auditorium (1108 Jefferson St) to answer any questions about public health. If you’re interested in coming to the town hall, please RSVP and submit your questions in advance. 

For updates on the repair status, visit DC Water’s website. For information about impacts in Virginia and links to Maryland and Washington agencies responding to the incident, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/news/potomac-sewage-spill/.

If you have questions about other impacts in Alexandria, submit them to Alex311.

If you prefer communication in another language, free interpretation and translation services are available to you, please email LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.3960. 

For media inquiries only, please contact Linda Scarborough at linda.scarborough@vdh.virginia.gov.