Anacostia High School students were dismissed early at noon on Monday due to a sewage spill that flooded the school over the weekend.

In a letter sent home to families on Monday, Principal Kenneth Walker wrote that while work was underway for DC Water’s Capital Improvement Program in the area, a water and sewage backup occurred, pumping raw sewage into the school and at least 10 nearby homes on Fairlawn Avenue SE.

A spokesperson from DC Water told WTOP in an email that the incident occurred on Sunday “ due to a pump malfunction during work on the Anacostia Main Interceptor.”

“ We deeply regret the inconvenience this has caused and are providing temporary housing for affected residents while the cleanup is completed,” they said. “Additional steps are being taken to investigate and addr

See Full Page