Washington Gas Ordered to Contain Ongoing Pollution of Anacostia River

For decades after Washington Gas shuttered its East Station plant along the Anacostia River, the toxic remnants of its operations have continued to poison the waterway. Oil sheens still float on the surface, and chemicals bubble up from the contaminated riverbed, threatening the health of communities that live, work, and recreate along its banks.

The District’s Department of Energy and Environment and the Office of the Attorney General said it uncovered evidence that hazardous pollutants from the site are still actively migrating into the river. Investigators documented oil sheens on a near-daily basis since 2021 and observed chemical vapors bubbling from the sediment on more than 100 days during that period.

Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb said a settlement has been reached with W