The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, is currently experiencing significant plumbing issues affecting its onboard facilities. These problems, tied to the ship’s vacuum collection, holding, and transfer system (VCHT), involve nearly 650 toilets aboard the vessel. Despite the challenges, the U.S. Navy maintains that operational readiness and mission execution remain unaffected.
The USS Gerald R. Ford, which was constructed at an estimated cost of $13 billion, has been engaged in recent U.S. military operations, including strikes against Venezuela targeting President Nicolás Maduro. The plumbing complications primarily involve the VCHT, which is responsible for transporting and disposing of wastewater through a vacuum system. According to Lt. Cmdr. David Carter, a spokesperson for the U.S. Fleet Forces Command, these issues have been isolated incidents that do not disrupt the overall sewage system.
“Repairs typically take between 30 minutes and two hours,” Carter explained. “During this time, the rest of the system continues to operate independently.”
Challenges and Responses
Despite the Navy’s reassurances, reports indicate a pattern of recurring plumbing issues. Since 2023, the USS Gerald R. Ford has reportedly called for assistance related to toilet malfunctions 42 times, with 32 calls occurring in 2025 alone. Notably, 12 of those calls came shortly after the carrier departed from Naval Station Norfolk on June 24, 2025, marking the start of its deployment in the U.S. Southern Command area of operations.
Emails obtained by NPR suggest that within a span of four days, there were 205 breakdowns of the toilet system. Some communications implied that crew members were contributing to the system’s failures by improperly using the facilities. Carter confirmed in a statement to Military Times that the Ford averages about one maintenance call per day, often due to “improper materials being introduced to the system.”
Historical Context and Financial Impact
The plumbing issues aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford are not new. A 2020 Government Accountability Office report noted that the sewage pipes installed throughout the ship are too narrow to adequately support the flushes of over 4,000 crew members. This has led to substantial maintenance costs; the Navy has reportedly spent $400,000 per flush on a specialized acidic chemical to clear clogs and relieve pressure on the system.
As the USS Gerald R. Ford continues its operations, the Navy is working on system improvements to address these persistent plumbing issues. While maintenance demands have reportedly decreased as the deployment progresses, the ongoing challenges highlight the complexities of managing such a large vessel in active service.
