WASHINGTON (February 19, 2026) – More than 200 million gallons of sewage poured into the Potomac River after a major pipe collapse near Cabin John, Maryland, elevating levels of fecal bacteria, including E. coli and staphylococcal pathogens. The incident has renewed scrutiny on aging infrastructure and highlighted what residents can, and cannot, send into the sewer system.
Lulupoo, a company founded by a George Washington University student, Lilla Reinertson, is a first-of-its-kind dissolvable pet waste bag designed to flush safely through standard toilets and plumbing systems. Lulupoo bags and their contents dissolve completely when flushed, allowing waste to move through the sewage treatment system as intended rather than ending up in a landfill, on a sidewalk, or in the river itself.
“The Potomac crisis showed us exactly what doesn’t belong in our waterways. Lulupoo was built on a simple principle: what you flush should truly disappear. A bag that dissolves in water, is safe for plumbing and septic systems, and begins with repurposed sugarcane waste,” said Reinerston. “With Lulupoo, every dog walk becomes a small but powerful decision for cleaner rivers.”
As DC Water has urged residents to be mindful of what they flush, Lulupoo offers pet owners a responsible, tested alternative that helps protect both plumbing infrastructure and local waterways. If you’re interested in speaking with Reinertson to learn more about her work, or the Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership class where she developed this concept, please contact Senior Media Relations Specialist Claire Sabin (claire [dot] sabin
gwu [dot] edu (claire[dot]sabin[at]gwu[dot]edu)).
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