USS Ford’s Toilet Problem Make A Stink As America Flexes Muscle Against Iran
As the United States maintains a formidable naval presence near the Middle East amid escalating tensions with Iran, its most advanced aircraft carrier is grappling with a persistent and unglamorous problem — a chronically failing onboard sewage system.
The USS Gerald R. Ford, commissioned in 2017 as the lead vessel of a new class of supercarriers, has been plagued by recurring plumbing breakdowns throughout its extended deployment, according to multiple media reports. The US Navy insists the technical difficulties have not compromised operational readiness, but internal records and crew accounts suggest significant strain below deck.
A High-Tech Ship With a Low-Tech Problem
Built at a cost of $13 billion, the Ford-class carrier introduced several next-generation systems, among them a vacuum-based sewage network adapted from cruise ship technology to cut water consumption. However, according to Gulf News, the system’s narrow pipes have struggled to cope with waste generated by a crew of more than 4,600 sailors, resulting in frequent clogs and vacuum failures.
Emails obtained by NPR documented 205 sewage-related breakdowns over just a four-day period, with engineering teams reportedly working 19-hour shifts to manage leaks and overflows. During its 2025 deployment which included operations off Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro in January the ship averaged one sewage-related maintenance call per day, according to the Navy Times. Forbes had earlier reported in 2022 that severe blockages required a specialised acid flush costing $400,000 each time.
Crew Fatigue as Deployment Stretches On
The Wall Street Journal reported that crew members confirmed the recurring malfunctions, describing growing frustration as the deployment was extended for a second time. The current mission is approaching one of the longest continuous deployments in US Navy history, the report noted.
Since 2023, external technical support has been called in 42 times to address the issue, including 32 incidents in 2025 alone. The problems have continued into 2026.
Readiness Under Scrutiny at a Critical Moment
Powered by next-generation nuclear reactors and equipped with advanced aircraft and weapons systems, the USS Ford remains a cornerstone of US maritime strategy. Yet critics cited in American media reports have raised questions about how persistent system failures aboard a multi-billion-dollar platform could affect crew morale during prolonged deployments.
The situation unfolds against a charged geopolitical backdrop. President Donald Trump has warned of possible tough action against Iran, and speaking at a Board of Peace meeting last week, said the US could escalate further and “bad things” could happen if a “meaningful deal” is not reached, adding, “you will know in the next 10 days.” American and Iranian negotiators are scheduled to meet in Geneva on Thursday for another round of talks.
The Navy, for its part, has maintained that despite the plumbing setbacks, the carrier’s mission capability remains fully unaffected.