Maryland Department of the Environment sediment testing has confirmed that bacterial levels around Minnie's Island have returned to safe levels, clearing the C&O Canal island for public access more than six months after a massive sewage spill.
Montgomery County Health Officer Dr. Kisha Davis lifted the health advisory for the Potomac River on Sunday, Aug. 9, according to MyMCMedia. The action followed MDE testing that showed bacterial concentrations in water and sediment between Lock 11 and the shoreline surrounding Minnie's Island now fall within Environmental Protection Agency safety limits, according to a county health statement.
The clearance marks the final regulatory step in a months-long recovery. The county had already lifted a shoreline advisory on July 31, clearing the Lock 11 stretch for general recreation. Sunday's action specifically addressed the island itself, backed by sediment data.
As we reported Aug. 5, the Minnie's Island Community Conservancy announced the island's reopening after Dr. Davis's initial advisory lift. Board president Joseph Saliunas said at the time that DC Water's January spill significantly impacted the waters and sediment surrounding the island and forced a closure lasting more than six months.
What happened in January
On the evening of Jan. 19, a 72-inch section of DC Water's Potomac Interceptor sewer line collapsed along the Clara Barton Parkway near Lock 10, sending more than 200 million gallons of wastewater into the Potomac River, according to the C&O Canal Trust. DC Water completed emergency repairs and restored full flow on March 14, but the contaminated sediment kept the island off-limits through the summer.
Conservancy pushes for infrastructure fixes
Saliunas is now pressing DC Water and county officials to invest in aging sewer infrastructure to prevent a repeat. "We hope that our public leaders learn from this experience and that they support needed infrastructure improvements that can prevent events like this from happening in the future," he said in an Aug. 4 statement tied to the reopening.
No timeline or formal proceeding for infrastructure improvements has been announced. DC Water has not publicly responded to the Conservancy's request.
What residents should know
County health officials said water quality monitoring will continue. The county advises residents to avoid swallowing river water and to stay away from shorelines for 48 to 72 hours after heavy rain, when bacteria levels can surge. People with open cuts or wounds should avoid contact with river water or sediment. Montgomery County's drinking water was not affected at any point during the incident.
Saliunas said the Conservancy is eager to welcome visitors back. "We look forward to sharing the magnificent nature we have in our backyard, like the minks, river otters, and peregrine falcons we have seen over the past month," he said. Minnie's Island is accessible from the C&O Canal towpath near Lock 11 in Potomac.
