Conservationists sound alarm on Potomac pollution

The Potomac River has been named the most endangered river in the United States, according to a new report from American Rivers. This designation stems from a historic 250 million-gallon raw sewage spill earlier this year and escalating concerns about the environmental impact of rapid data center expansion in Northern Virginia. Pat Calvert, Virginia director of conservation for American Rivers, stated that the sewage incident represents a significant setback to decades of environmental improvements. The report also highlights the vulnerability of aging water and sewage infrastructure nationwide, urging Congress to reauthorize federal funding for upgrades to prevent future incidents. Beyond the sewage crisis, conservationists are alarming about the substantial water demands of data centers for cooling and energy production in Northern Virginia. These facilities are stressing already limited water supplies amidst population growth, extreme weather, and existing contamination issues. Calvert also raised concerns about potential waterway contamination from chemicals like biocides and "forever chemicals" used in cooling processes, advocating for greater transparency and cumulative assessments of data center impacts on water. The Potomac River is a crucial resource, providing drinking water for over six million people, including Washington, D.C., and supporting vital ecosystems and industries across Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. While Virginia officials have recently approved legislation mandating data centers to report water usage, environmental groups continue to call for more comprehensive, region-wide analyses and urgent action from federal and state leaders to protect the river.