Virginia Department of Health lifts recreational water advisory for Potomac River

A recreational water advisory that was issued for the Potomac River due to a sewage spill in January has been lifted in Virginia.

The advisory covered the area from the American Legion Memorial Bridge (Interstate 495) to the Route 120 chain bridge in the Commonwealth.

The initial advisory was issued Feb. 13 out of an abundance of caution, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

DC Water successfully completed emergency repairs and returned the sewage flow to the Potomac Interceptor last week. An advisory remains in effect in Maryland for areas close to the spill site.

Water quality sampling results collected by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality indicate bacteria concentrations in the Potomac River outside of the immediate spill site are at levels acceptable for all recreational water use.

VDH will continue to monitor sampling data in the Commonwealth.

VDH: Safety tips for all bodies of natural water

Swimming or other activities in any natural body of water always pose some health risk because the water is not disinfected.

Children under the age of five years, older adults and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of contracting illness from natural bodies of water, according to VDH.

For people planning to swim, wade, kayak, canoe or go rafting in Virginia natural waters, VDH recommends: 

• Avoid getting water in your mouth. Never swallow water from an untreated water source.
• Don’t swim if you have broken skin. Bacteria, viruses and other organisms can infect wounds causing more serious illness.
• Shower with soap and water after recreating in natural waters.
• Don’t swim when you are ill.
• Avoid swimming if dead fish are present.