Washington, D.C.‘s Water and Sewer Authority significantly miscalculated the level of E. coli coming from a sewer line channel on Friday after a late January pipe collapse caused increased levels of the bacteria in the Potomac River.
On Friday, Feb. 6, DC Water initially reported levels of E. coli at 2,420 MPN/100mL, then changed it to the actual level of E. coli present, 242,000 MPN/100mL, which is 9,900% higher than the initial report. The numbers came from a drainage channel at Swainson Island, adjacent to Cabin John, Maryland, in the Potomac River.
“We identified a human error through internal review, corrected it immediately, and updated the information as soon as it was confirmed. Sampling and monitoring have continued,” DC Water wrote on X in response to the discrepancy.
The numbers are related to a Jan. 19 collapse of a section of the Potomac Interceptor sewer line at a specific overflow point by Swainson Island. The collapse of part of the 54-mile sewer line led to a spike in E. coli in the surrounding area. DC Water said its “crews and contractors began work immediately to construct a bypass to contain the overflow,” which was completed on Jan. 24.
“As work progresses at the site, we are working to develop cleanup and remediation plans, which remain in the early stages and will be focused on immediately impacted areas such as the canal, drainage channels and portions of the Potomac River,” DC water said in a statement.
The discrepancy in Friday’s numbers came after DC Water had initially said the E. coli rate from the sewage spill was trending downward, according to NBC4.
A further overflow of the line occurred on Sunday, Feb. 8, after that Friday spike. DC Water said it was still calculating the exact amount of E. coli from the Sunday overflow, but “preliminary estimates indicate several hundred thousand gallons of wastewater overflowed.”
“The overflow event occurred when multiple pumps were out of service for required cleaning and maintenance after becoming clogged by non-disposable wipes that were flushed into the system. This reduction in pumping capacity coincided with a high flow period in the sewer system contributing to the event,” DC Water said in a statement.
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The district agency currently lists the Sunday overflow amount at 130,000 MPN/100mL at the Swainson Island point.
Swimming is not recommended in waters with E. coli levels of 410 MPN/100mL or above, according to the agency.
