A substantial sewage pipe has ruptured, unleashing millions of gallons of wastewater into the Potomac River northwest of Washington D.C., causing significant pollution ahead of a major winter storm. Repair crews are now in a desperate race against time to contain the environmental fallout.
The incident, which occurred late on Monday, saw a 72-inch (183-centimetre) sewer pipe collapse, sending raw sewage erupting from the ground and flowing directly into the river.
DC Water, the system’s operator, is deploying pumps to divert the wastewater around the rupture, enabling repair teams to commence work. The system is designed to handle 230 million litres of water daily, equivalent to about 90 Olympic-sized swimming pools…