Environment & Climate
Maryland utility asks to join federal lawsuit against DC Water
The Washington Sun reports that WSSC Water seeks to join a federal suit following a January Potomac River sewage spill.
The short version
- WSSC Water requested to join a Justice Department lawsuit against DC Water following a January pipe break that discharged 243 million gallons of untreated sewage into the Potomac River.[The Washington Sun]
- The Justice Department has alleged that DC Water failed to properly maintain and operate the sewer system.[The Washington Sun]
- DC Water began emergency repairs in June that are expected to conclude by the end of September.[The Washington Sun]
- WSSC Water claimed that DC Water assigned it nearly 31 percent of a projected 59.3 million dollar repair cost.[The Washington Sun]
Key facts
- A January pipeline rupture discharged 243 million gallons of untreated waste into the Potomac River.[The Washington Sun]
- WSSC Water moved to join a Justice Department lawsuit brought against DC Water.[The Washington Sun]
- The Justice Department claimed DC Water failed to adequately operate and maintain the sewer network.[The Washington Sun]
- DC Water launched emergency repair operations in June with anticipated completion by late September.[The Washington Sun]
- WSSC Water alleged that DC Water calculated repair expenses at $59.3 million and assigned 30.9% of that total to WSSC Water.[The Washington Sun]
What remains uncertain
- Whether the court will grant WSSC Water permission to join the Justice Department's lawsuit remains pending.[The Washington Sun]
- The final distribution of the estimated $59.3 million in pipeline repair costs among regional entities is contested.[The Washington Sun]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.
- Maryland Utility Joins Lawsuit Over Potomac River SpillThe Washington Sun