What We Do
Potomac Interceptor Odor Abatement
The Potomac Interceptor is a 50-mile-long gravity sewer system that transports wastewater to the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant (more information in the "Who We are" section of this site) located in Washington, DC The Potomac Interceptor is owned and operated by DC WASA though several suburban jurisdictions add their wastewater to the system.
This sewer has a number of vents along the way to Blue Plains to allow sewage to flow naturally. However, they can become the source of odor; especially in warmer temperatures. DC WASA began design and planning for a program to abate these odors in 1999.
The objectives of the long-term odor remedy program are:
- To provide long-term control of odors from the Potomac Interceptor using practical and reliable state of the art technology.
- To reduce hydrogen sulfide gases in the Potomac Interceptor that cause the corrosion of the concrete sewer pipe.
Download a current Newsletter about the Potomac Interceptor project (PDF 4.1 mb) .
Download a recent community presentation on the Potomac Interceptor (PDF 3.9 mb) .
More detailed information on the Potomac Interceptor is available in the "Wastewater Treatment" section of this site.
Municipalities served by the Potomac Interceptor
- Loudoun County (VA)
- Fairfax County (VA)
- Washington Dulles International Airport
- Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC)
The Potomac Interceptor conveys wastewater from Dulles International Airport in Chantilly, VA along the Potomac River to the DC border. At the DC/Montgomery County, MD border, the Potomac Interceptor becomes the Upper Potomac Interceptor Relief Sewer, and continues to the Potomac Pumping Station in Washington, DC
Project Schedule
| Maryland and DC | |
|---|---|
| Sites advertisements | Jul 2009 |
| Construction contract awarded | Dec 2009 |
| Construction completion | Nov 2011 |
| Virginia | |
| Sites advertisements | Apr 2010 |
| Construction contract awarded | Sep 2010 |
| Construction completion | Mar 2012 |