WASHINGTON (7News) — The Potomac River — often called the “Nation’s River” — has been named the most endangered river in the country for 2026, according to a new report from American Rivers.
The designation comes after what environmental groups describe as a “one-two punch” — a massive raw sewage spill earlier this year and the rapid expansion of data centers across the region.
At the center of the report is the failure of the Potomac Interceptor sewer line, which sent an estimated 200 to 300 million gallons of untreated wastewater into the river.
Advocates said the spill caused bacteria levels to spike to thousands of times above safe recreational limits, prompting ongoing water quality monitoring and raising new concerns about aging infrastructure.
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“This crisis makes one thing clear — failing wastewater systems are polluting our rivers,” said Betsy Nicholas, president of the Potomac Riverkeeper Network.
The report also highlights the surge in data center development throughout the Potomac watershed, particularly in Northern Virginia and parts of Maryland.
According to the Potomac Riverkeeper Network, roughly 1,200 data centers are proposed, under development, or in the permitting process across the region.
Environmental advocates warn these facilities could strain water resources because of their need for cooling and wastewater management.
“All of these facilities need cooling water as well as a place to discharge wastewater,” Nicholas said. “We are concerned both about water quality and water quantity.”
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The region — often referred to as “Data Center Alley” — already hosts hundreds of facilities, with projections suggesting significant expansion in the coming years.
Supporters of data centers argue they are critical to the regional economy, powering everything from cloud computing to artificial intelligence.
But environmental groups say the pace of development is outpacing comprehensive oversight, particularly when it comes to cumulative impacts on waterways, stormwater runoff, and drinking water sources.
Despite the alarming ranking, advocates say the Potomac River has shown measurable improvement in recent years. Ongoing sewer upgrades across the region could eliminate more than 90% of sewage overflows by 2030, and wildlife is rebounding — with dolphins now regularly spotted in parts of the river where they were once rare.
Still, environmental groups warn that without stronger safeguards, new risks — including infrastructure failures and increased water demand — could undermine that progress.
“The Potomac is at an inflection point,” the report states. “Act now or risk long-term damage to a river that millions depend on for drinking water, recreation, and wildlife.”
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