Updated: City Cautions Residents in Using Holmes Run

Alexandria advises residents to avoid the waters of Holmes Run crossing due to a sewage spill.

The city says stay away from locations near the intersection of Holmes Run Parkway and North Paxton Street, which is approximately 300 yards upstream of the Beatley pedestrian bridge.

There are two sanitary sewer lines damaged within Holmes Run. One line is owned by the City of Alexandria and the other owned by Fairfax County.

Crews from both jurisdictions are working to contain and remedy the spill.  It is estimated that the active spill will be contained within 36 to 48 hours.  Repairs on the broken pipes are expected to take three to six weeks.

Residents are advised not to fish in or have any contact with the waters, including wading or swimming, until further notice. Parents are advised to keep children and pets away from the streams. Avoiding human and pet contact with these waters will help to eliminate the risk of exposure to untreated sewage from this spill.

Sewer overflow is currently being contained behind an existing concrete Check Dam downstream of the break, which prevents discharge from spreading further downstream.