Overview
- A Jan. 19 collapse of the 72-inch Potomac Interceptor released an estimated 243 million gallons of wastewater, with most of the volume in the first five days.
- Trump said federal authorities, naming FEMA, would coordinate the response, then later posted that help would come only if local leaders asked “politely,” as a DHS funding lapse complicates FEMA operations.
- Gov. Wes Moore’s office countered that the federal government regulates DC Water, said Maryland responded within hours, and criticized EPA for skipping a state hearing; Moore said the spill is roughly 99% contained.
- DC Water reports bypass pumping is limiting overflows, noted a 24-hour period without new discharges on Sunday, and expects to install a steel bulkhead to isolate the damaged section late next week, with an interim fix in four to six weeks and longer-term work to follow.
- Officials urge people and pets to avoid the river after tests found E. coli far above recreational standards, while authorities say regional drinking water supplies remain safe.