WASHINGTON — Students were sent home early on Monday from Anacostia High School due to a sewage backup.

The school sent guardians a letter explaining the dismissal. According to the letter, DC Water began work in the Anacostia and Fairlawn neighborhoods over the weekend as part of the Capital Improvement Program water main replacement project.

While work was underway, water and sewage backed up into the high school, mainly impacting the kitchen and cafeteria.

The Department of General Services deployed a hygienist contractor on Sunday to begin the cleanup. Contractors worked into the night to clear building drains, remove water, thoroughly clean, and disinfect spaces.

The high school was prematurely cleared to open Monday morning, despite the cafeteria and kitchen remaining "offline fo

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