001First on W USA 9 News at 11, it's been 37 days since part of the PTOIC interceptor collapsed, sending millions of gallons of sewage into the river. And tonight, we've got an update on the repairs. >> Yeah. So, DC Water posted this photo saying crews are close to clearing out debris inside of that pipe. And by Monday, it will be safe for boats to get back out on the water again. Thank you for staying up with us at 11 o'clock. I'm Lorenzo Hall >> and I'm Leslie Foster. So, that update came during a community meeting tonight. where frustrated residents from really across the region voiced their concerns. Our Melissa Kim was there. >> Well, it was standing room only here tonight at DC Water Headquarters in a community meeting that got heated at times as
002impassion residents voiced their concerns about the safety and viability of the Ptoic River. >> But I don't believe a word. Here's why. >> It's surprising um that this happened. >> I'm a DC resident just cares. Lifelong Washingtonian John Villa was visibly frustrated with the answers from DC Water and other officials. >> And I was very frustrated with the lack of specifics for a remediation plan about how they're going to improve the PTOIC long term. >> He wasn't alone. >> We think it's very important to have an outside perspective on the cause of this particular uh collapse. >> Katie Blackman is the vice president of strategic programs and partnerships at the PTOIC Conservancy. They've called for an independent investigation into the interceptor collapse >> because that can lead to the root cause understanding of what happened
003to then systemic changes to make sure it doesn't happen again. >> She says they haven't gotten any clear answers yet, but thinks transparency like this meeting is a step in the right direction. >> I think if we can keep having these open conversations with DC water and uh other partners that they're working with, we can get on the right track. The US Army Corps of Engineers is conducting at least 300 tests daily. Colonel Francis Perah is part of that crew and reassures us that >> 100% the water that's coming into your home is safe. >> Things appear to be trending in the right direction according to officials. But many who attended tonight's meeting think that's not enough, especially with spring around the corner. >> We're starting to come into a really special moment in the
004last 5 years that people were recreating a lot on the PTOIC. >> We know people love the PTOIC. They spend their summers out on the PTOIC. Our communities are going to want to know that it's safe in March, April, May, June, July. And there will be another meeting for Maryland residents tomorrow night at Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda at 7 p.m. in Southeast DC.