Potomac sewage spill | Photo by Rebecca Long | The Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Press Statement By The Chesapeake Bay Foundation | Valerie DiMarzio
Major Chesapeake Bay Tributary Needs State and Federal Support to Stop Sewage and Runoff Pollution
Maryland 2026 - Red flags are flying for the Potomac River, which American Rivers this week named number one on its Most Endangered Rivers List of 2026. The Potomac River is the second largest tributary feeding into the Chesapeake Bay and touches parts of Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and D.C. It’s also the primary drinking source for over 6 million people who live in the Potomac River watershed.
American Rivers cited January’s 243-million-gallon sewage spill, as well as major data center sprawl in the region, as reasons for the designation. The Potomac River and its tributaries are also burdened by runoff from agricultural and stormwater pollution—which runs off roads, parking lots, and buildings when it rains. Runoff challenges are worsening from increased development and more intense rainfall from climate change.
These mounting pressures on the Potomac River demonstrate a clear need for infrastructure investments from the federal, state, and local levels. Wastewater systems like the Potomac Inceptor need constant maintenance to avoid catastrophe. Yet the Trump Administration proposed a 90 percent cut to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and elimination of key grants for Clean Water Act work that help local communities fund wastewater infrastructure upgrades.
CBF Senior Vice President for Programs Alison Hooper Prost issued the following statement:
“The Potomac River is stressed out and signaling for help. It’s not too late to send a lifeline.
“The recent Potomac sewage spill drew long overdue attention to aging wastewater infrastructure that sends millions of gallons of raw sewage into rivers across our region each year. We’ve seen progress towards a healthier river through coordinated state and federal efforts. But new challenges threaten to upend those wins.
“The sewage spill and this ‘most endangered’ designation are a wake-up call that should spark action to fund the major, ongoing investments in infrastructure. Recent funding cuts proposed by the Trump Administration would leave the Potomac River even more wounded. Just a few months ago, Congress rejected similar cuts in a show of bipartisan support for the Chesapeake Bay. Now Congress must once again protect the work needed to fulfill the federal government’s promise to restore this national treasure.”
