Is Your Sewer Line as Old as the Pipe That Just Collapsed?
The January 2026 Potomac Interceptor collapse released over 240 million gallons of sewage into the Potomac River — from a pipe built in 1962. Much of the DMV’s residential sewer infrastructure is the same age. Durance Plumbing can inspect, repair, and replace your sewer line before a small problem becomes a serious one.
What Happened — And Why It Matters to Your Home
On January 19, 2026, a 72-inch section of the Potomac Interceptor sewer line collapsed near the Clara Barton Parkway in Montgomery County, MD — releasing an estimated 240–300 million gallons of untreated sewage into the Potomac River. It is considered one of the largest sewage spills in U.S. history. Emergency repairs were completed March 14. Long-term pipe rehabilitation is now underway and expected to take 9–10 months.
The Potomac Interceptor was built in the early 1960s — and DC Water had been in the middle of a 10-year, $625 million rehabilitation plan when it failed. The pipe showed signs of corrosion for years.
Here’s the part that directly affects homeowners in Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and DC: the residential sewer laterals running beneath your yard and connecting your home to the main sewer line were installed during the same era, using the same reinforced concrete and clay materials. Most homeowners have never had their line inspected.
A failed residential sewer line won’t make national news — but it will create a flooded basement, raw sewage in your yard, and a repair bill that can run $5,000 to $20,000 or more. Catching the problem early is almost always cheaper.
The $20 million repair cost for the Potomac Interceptor will be split among regional utilities — including WSSC Water, which serves over 2 million customers in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. Water bill rate increases are likely. Fixing water-wasting issues in your home now can help offset rising costs.
Warning Signs Your Sewer Line Needs Attention
Most residential pipe failures give warning signs months before a full collapse — but homeowners rarely know what to look for. If you’re seeing any of these in your Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, or DC home, call us before it escalates.
Slow or Gurgling Drains
Persistent slow drainage across multiple fixtures often signals a partial blockage or sewer line sag that’s worsening over time.
Sewage Odors Indoors
A cracked or deteriorating sewer line can allow sewer gas into your home — a health hazard and a sign of serious pipe damage.
Unusually Green Lawn Patches
A leaking sewer line acts like fertilizer underground. Suspiciously lush or wet patches over your sewer run are a red flag.
Foundation Cracks or Settling
Ongoing pipe leaks under your slab erode the soil that supports your foundation — often with expensive consequences.
Frequent Toilet Backups
Multiple backups that can’t be resolved with a plunger point to a deeper main line issue requiring professional diagnosis.
Pests Near Drains
Cracked sewer pipes are entry points for roaches, rodents, and drain flies. Pests appearing near plumbing may mean a breach.
What We Do — Sewer & Pipe Services in the DMV
We’re a full-service residential and light commercial plumbing company. Here’s what we handle in Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and Washington DC:
Sewer Line Inspection & Repair
We run a high-definition camera through your entire sewer lateral to identify cracks, root intrusion, corrosion, and sags — the same problems that took down the Potomac Interceptor. You’ll receive a full written assessment and upfront pricing for any repairs needed.
Pipe Replacement & Repiping
If your home has aging galvanized, cast iron, or clay pipes, proactive replacement prevents the catastrophic failures we’ve seen across the DMV. We offer full-home repiping, section replacement, and trenchless pipe lining — minimal disruption, maximum longevity.
Drain Cleaning & Hydro Jetting
Our hydro jetting service uses high-pressure water to completely clear grease, mineral buildup, and root intrusion — more effective than snaking alone. Ideal for older homes in Silver Spring, Bethesda, College Park, and DC where buildup accumulates fast.
Backflow Testing & Certification
Annual testing is required for many DMV properties. We’re certified for WSSC, DC Water, the City of Rockville, and Anne Arundel County. We test, certify, and file the reports with your water authority — all in one visit.
Sump Pump Servicing
With heavy spring rains and aging stormwater infrastructure across the DMV, a functioning sump pump is your last line of defense. We service, repair, and replace sump pumps, and install battery backup systems so you’re protected even during power outages.
Water Heater Installation & Repair
Tank and tankless systems, all major brands. WSSC-permitted installation with a full one-year labor warranty. We’ll tell you honestly if you need a replacement or just a repair.
Most general plumbers don’t hold sewer camera inspection equipment or backflow certifications for multiple water authorities. That’s a gap we fill deliberately. One call, one company — we handle the inspection, the repair, the permit, and the documentation.
Service Area — Where We Work
We serve the Washington DC metro area with a strong concentration across Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and Washington DC. Our home base is Takoma Park, Maryland, which puts us within easy reach of most of the communities we serve.
Not sure if we cover your neighborhood? Call us at (301) 270-6663 and we’ll confirm quickly. We’d rather you know upfront than wait for someone who can’t make it out to you.
Why Homeowners in Montgomery and PG County Choose Durance
We do permitted work the right way
Some plumbers skip permits to save time. We don’t. Unpermitted plumbing work creates real problems when you sell your home, file an insurance claim, or when a small issue turns into a big one. When a job requires a permit — and sewer work almost always does — we handle the paperwork and coordinate the inspection. It takes a bit longer but it protects you.
You talk to the same person, start to finish
When you call Durance Plumbing, you’re talking to a small team that actually does the work. There’s no relay between a call center, a dispatcher, a project manager, and a technician. You know who’s coming, when they’re coming, and what it’s going to cost — before the truck pulls up.
Honest assessments, not upsells
If your sewer line just needs a good hydro jetting and not a full replacement, that’s what you’ll get. If a drain just needs clearing and not a new pipe, we’ll tell you that — and fix it. We’re not running on commission and we don’t have sales quotas. The goal is to solve your problem with the right level of work.
We show up prepared
We arrive knowing what the job involves, with the equipment to handle it. We don’t want to waste your time scheduling a second visit because we were missing something obvious. For sewer inspections, that means a camera system and written reporting ready to go on the first visit.
What Neighbors Say About Us
“Kirk came out the same week to do our annual backflow test. He handled the WSSC report and everything. Easy to schedule, showed up on time, done in an hour. I’ve already referred him to our HOA.”
“We had a slow drain that turned out to be root intrusion halfway down our sewer line. Durance found it on the first visit with a camera, gave us a clear quote, and had it fixed the next day. No surprises.”
“I manage a handful of rental properties and Durance handles all of my plumbing work. They’re reliable, they document everything, and they don’t nickel-and-dime. That’s rare.”
Common Questions
Does the Potomac pipe collapse affect my home’s plumbing?
Not directly — the Potomac Interceptor is a large regional sewer main, not a residential line. However, it highlights that much of the region’s sewer infrastructure was built in the 1960s–1970s and is showing its age. Residential lateral lines in Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and DC are made of similar materials and subject to the same corrosion. A camera inspection is the only way to know your specific line’s condition.
Will my water bill increase because of the Potomac sewage spill?
Possibly. DC Water estimates $20 million in repair costs. While federal aid covers a portion, WSSC Water — which serves over 2 million customers in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties — may pass some costs to ratepayers. Rates were already scheduled to increase before the collapse. Fixing water-wasting issues in your home now can help offset those increases.
What does a sewer line inspection involve?
We feed a high-definition camera into your sewer lateral from a cleanout access point or toilet. The camera transmits live video as it travels the line, revealing cracks, root intrusion, sags, corrosion, or blockages. You’ll receive a written assessment with any findings and, if work is needed, upfront pricing before we begin anything. Most residential inspections take under an hour.
What is hydro jetting and do I need it?
Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water to scour the interior walls of your drain and sewer lines — removing grease, mineral scale, and root intrusion far more completely than a standard drain snake. It’s especially effective in older DMV homes where decades of buildup have narrowed pipes. We recommend it if you’ve had recurring clogs, slow drains across multiple fixtures, or if a camera inspection reveals significant buildup.
Is backflow testing required in Montgomery County or DC?
Yes. Annual backflow preventer testing is required for most commercial properties and many residential systems in Washington DC, Montgomery County, and Prince George’s County. Failing to test can result in fines and leaves your water supply vulnerable to contamination. Durance Plumbing is certified to test and certify backflow preventers across all three jurisdictions — and we file the compliance reports directly with your water authority.
How soon can you come out?
We work Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm. In most cases, we can schedule within a few business days, and often within the same week. For backflow testing, we recommend scheduling at least 2–3 weeks before your compliance deadline since slots fill up during spring season.
Is Durance Plumbing licensed?
Yes. We hold a WSSC plumbing license, which is required for permitted plumbing work in Montgomery and Prince George’s County. We’re also certified for backflow testing by WSSC, DC Water, the City of Rockville, and Anne Arundel County. We’re BBB accredited and have been serving the DMV since 2008. Don’t hesitate to ask any plumber for their credentials before hiring.
What warranty do you offer on your work?
Repairs come with a one-year warranty on parts and labor. Pipe repairs and replacements carry warranties of up to 10 years depending on the materials used. We’ll spell out the specific warranty for your job when you schedule.
Concerned About Your Sewer Line? We’ll Take a Look.
We’re available Monday through Friday. Call us directly or use the online form and we’ll get back to you quickly — usually within a few hours.
Request service online (301) 270-6663Durance Plumbing · Takoma Park, MD · WSSC Licensed · Serving the DC metro area since 2008