USS Gerald Ford Faces Ongoing Sewage System Issues

Feb 23, 2026

76 min

Feb 23, 2026 01:30

'Sewage crisis' hits USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier: report

## Persistent Plumbing Problems

The USS Gerald R. Ford, the US Navy's largest and most advanced aircraft carrier, continues to struggle with significant sewage system failures. Despite being commissioned in 2017 at a cost of $13 billion, the ship's vacuum-based sewage system, adapted from cruise ships, has been plagued by frequent clogs and malfunctions. These issues have persisted nearly a decade after the carrier's launch.

## Operational Impact

Reports indicate that the sewage system's narrow pipes are inadequate for the over 4,600 crew members on board, leading to regular maintenance challenges. In 2025, the ship averaged one sewage-related maintenance call per day during its deployment, which included operations off Venezuela. The Navy has had to resort to costly acid flushes to unclog the system, each costing $400,000.

## Crew Challenges

Emails obtained by NPR reveal that there were 205 sewage system breakdowns over a four-day period, with engineering teams working long hours to manage leaks and overflows. Since 2023, external help has been called in 42 times, with 32 incidents occurring in 2025 alone. These ongoing issues have led to unsanitary conditions and lowered morale among the crew.

## Navy's Stance

Despite these challenges, Navy officials assert that the sewage problems have not affected the ship's operational readiness. However, critics argue that such persistent issues in a high-cost asset raise concerns about design flaws and the effective use of taxpayer money. As tensions rise in the Middle East, resolving these plumbing problems is crucial for maintaining crew welfare and the ship's mission capabilities.

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