Slick Spill On Anacostia River Is Petroleum Based

Monday evening an oily substance was found covering a large section of the surface of the Anacostia River from Bladensburg Road to the 11th Street bridge near the Navy yard in Washington, D.C.

A post on the Anacostia Watershed Society's Facebook page states that fire crews from the District were working on the mess from 6 p.m. Monday night until 2 a.m. today working to contain the spill.  

"Containment booms were used to keep the substance from spreading, but they didn't catch any pollution so they were removed this morning," the post states. "According to local news sources, initial tests show the substance is petroleum-based. The U.S. Coast Guard and the District Department of the Environment are investigating the situation."