Richmond, Virginia — Virginia Senator Richard H. Stuart (R-25th District) today sent a letter to the Virginia State Health Commissioner urging immediate and assertive action in response to the massive sewage discharge into the Potomac River.
The spill, initially caused by a January 19th sewer line collapse in Maryland, has resulted in hundreds of millions of gallons of untreated wastewater entering the Potomac River, with some estimates exceeding 300 million gallons. Temporary repairs are expected to take weeks, with permanent repairs projected to take ten months.
While the Virginia Department of Health has issued a recreational advisory covering 72.5 miles of the river, the agency has indicated it will not conduct water sampling because Maryland holds primary regulatory authority.
Senator Stuart called that response insufficient.
“Virginians who fish, crab, boat, and make their living from the Potomac deserve proactive protection and transparency,” Stuart said. “Virginia must not be relegated to a bystander role in a crisis of this magnitude.”
In his letter, Stuart urged VDH to take all appropriate steps within its authority to monitor Virginia waters, coordinate with relevant agencies, and provide clear, consistent public updates throughout the duration of the incident.
The full letter can be downloaded and viewed here.
Copies of the letter were also sent to senior state officials, including the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources, and the Director of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.
