Anthony G. Brown and the Maryland Department of the Environment have filed a lawsuit against DC Water seeking penalties and damages related to a January 19, 2026 sewer rupture that released an estimated 240 million gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac River and nearby tributaries over eight days.
The complaint alleges the utility failed to properly address known corrosion issues in the aging Potomac Interceptor system and delayed necessary upgrades.
Filed in Montgomery County Circuit Court, the lawsuit claims violations of state water pollution laws and seeks civil penalties, environmental cleanup costs, and restoration of impacted natural resources. State officials are also requesting a court order requiring DC Water to prevent future unauthorized sewage discharges and fully restore the affected areas.
