Each year more than a billion gallons of raw sewage is dumped into the Anacostia from the District of Columbia's sewer system. These discharges contain bacteria at levels thousands of times higher than public health standards permit.

The river is also plagued by urban run-off, as oil, dust, and other pollutants from streets and industry sites wash into storm sewers and end up in the river following rains. The Anacostia is currently so polluted that the government advises DC residents to avoid swimming or fishing in its waters at all times.

Working with civic and conservation groups, Earthjustice has undertaken numerous initiatives to protect the Anacostia. For example, Earthjustice is representing the groups in a suit challenging sewage discharges, and has achieved a settlement that makes substantial progress in preventing that pollution. In another Earthjustice suit, EPA agreed to a court-ordered timetable for setting pollution caps for the Anacostia. Efforts will continue to further reduce pollution discharges to the river and eventually make it fishable and swimmable once again.