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Bowser declares Potomac sewage spill an emergency, seeks federal aid for cleanup
Mayor Bowser seeks 100% federal reimbursement and technical aid after over 240 million gallons of raw sewage contaminated the Potomac River, creating health and environmental risks.
- On Wednesday, Muriel Bowser, Mayor of Washington, D.C., declared a local public emergency and asked for a Presidential Emergency Disaster Declaration seeking 100% reimbursement and federal support.
- On January 19, 2026, a 72-inch section of the Potomac Interceptor collapsed, releasing an estimated 300 million gallons according to DC Water, while other officials cite more than 240 million gallons spilled into the Potomac River.
- Before crews redirected the sewage, tests showed pathogen levels more than 2,700 times safe limits and up to 10,000 times before diversion; DC Water crews are building an enhanced bypass to start emergency repairs lasting four to six weeks with nine to ten months rehabilitation.
- After meetings with White House staff and the EPA, the mayor's emergency order and disaster request have been submitted for federal review, and Lindsey Appiah said, `The federal entities do exist to support this type of activity, and District residents deserve that.`
- Bowser is also urging federal agencies to accelerate U.S. Army Corps of Engineers capital improvements, support DC Water's Clean Rivers Project, and consider a Small Business Administration disaster declaration as the $20.3 million Blue Plains Floodwall project remains on hold.
26 Articles
26 Articles
ashepostandtimes.com
Washington mayor seeks White House aid on giant sewage spill
Washington's mayor declared a public emergency Wednesday over a major sewage leak, seeking aid from the White House after the Trump administration criticized local leaders for their response.
u.s. Declares Emergency for Spillage of More than 200 Million Gallons of Sewage in the Potomac River
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser declared Wednesday the waste water spill on the Potomac River as a public emergency and requested federal assistance for cleaning and recovery, following the collapse of a key sewage pipeline in January.
Washington, Feb. 18 (EFE).- Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser declared Wednesday the waste water spill on the Potomac River as a public emergency and requested federal assistance for cleaning and recovery, following the collapse of a key sewage pipeline in January. The bill seeks the federal government to release funds to reimburse local authorities for the costs associated with repairing the Potomac Interceptor pipeline and mitigating environmenta…
Associated Press News
DC mayor declares emergency, asks President Trump for help on sewage spill on the Potomac
Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser has declared an emergency and requested that President Donald Trump provide federal resources to help the city fight a sewage system leak that has dumped millions of gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac River in its early stages.
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