USACE Baltimore

The regional drinking water supply remains safe and unaffected, as our Washington Aqueduct drinking water system is entirely separate from the regional wastewater infrastructure.

The series of pipes/stormwater diversions we’re installing allows us to prevent interruptions to DC Water pumping operations necessary to emergency repairs + mitigate additional precipitation runoff through contaminated areas (which our lab teams can evaluate for effectiveness).

Our Washington Aqueduct laboratory teams conduct more than 65,000 individual tests on water samples every year. Now, we're bringing that expertise to the Potomac Interceptor response to evaluate stormwater runoff, the focus of USACE efforts at the site.

This series of pipes and stormwater diversions allows USACE to prevent interruptions to @dcwater pumping operations that are necessary to critical emergency repairs, as well as mitigate additional precipitation/snow melt runoff through contaminated areas near the spill.

@EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin (left) visited the site of the Potomac Interceptor collapse response Wednesday, speaking with Baltimore District Deputy Commander Lt. Col. Mark Pollak (right) about the USACE approach to stormwater management.

After treatment, the clean water is held in large storage tanks, ready to go. From there, it’s pumped to your local water provider, who delivers it right to your tap. (6/6)

Teams closely monitor this entire process from the river to our wholesale customers, and our labs conduct over 65,000 water sample tests every year. (5/6)

🧵 From the river to your tap: how we bring 150 million gallons of safe, clean drinking water every day to Washington, D.C., and Arlington & Fairfax counties. A thread:

Working under direction of the Environmental Protection Agency as the lead federal agency, USACE will work collaboratively to support restoration of the site: nab.usace.army.mil/Media/News-Rel…

Baltimore District’s expedient emergency response was executed in direct alignment with the “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork,” initiative for the USACE Civil Works program, spearheaded by Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle.

Baltimore District activated its Emergency Management Operations Center on Feb. 20 in support of the Washington, D.C., Emergency Declaration for Potomac Interceptor Collapse Response efforts. 🧵

Our Washington Aqueduct laboratory teams conduct more than 65,000 individual tests on water samples every year. In response to the Potomac Interceptor sewer spill, we've increased this testing schedule to continually ensure no impact to the region's water supply.

The sewage overflow is downstream of the utility's primary intake facility at Great Falls, and Washington Aqueduct teams remain in close communication with DC Water and our local, state, and federal partners as they conduct repairs.

Baltimore District Commander Col. Francis Pera joined @DCNewsNow this morning to reiterate: No impact to our Washington Aqueduct operations or the region's water supply is expected following the Potomac Interceptor sewer spill.

The Aqueduct is a federally owned/operated public water supply agency that produces ~150 mil gal of water per day at 2 plants in DC. 🇺🇸 Mr. Telle's role as Assistant Secretary sets policy direction and provides supervision of all aspects of the USACE Civil Works program.

🚰 Upon its arrival, water undergoes full conventional treatment to remove sediment, bacteria, and microorganisms to produce safe drinking water that meets or exceeds all EPA standards and requirements.

🏰 Adam Telle, @asacivilworks, recently joined Baltimore District Commander Col. Francis Pera and Washington Aqueduct leadership for a visit to our Dalecarlia Water Treatment Plant, the facility that receives water in the Aqueduct system after its journey from the Potomac.