Mistake With Valve Leads To Wastewater Overflow

ACCOKEEK, Md. (AP) -- Officials say a valve left in the wrong position led to an overflow of 6 million gallons of diluted wastewater at a plant in Accokeek.

The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission reported the overflow late Saturday afternoon. It began early Saturday morning and lasted for more than 2 hours. The commission says the diluted wastewater was contained on the grounds of the Piscataway plant.

The commission says because the valve was left in the wrong position, wastewater flowed to a piece of equipment that was disabled.

Drinking water is not affected by the overflow.

Earlier Saturday, the WSSC announced that heavy rainfall led to a sewage overflow at a wastewater pumping station in Fort Washington. It's not clear how much diluted wastewater spilled into Broad Creek.

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