Trump Blames Maryland Governor for Potomac Sewer Spill

A massive sewage overflow into the Potomac River has sparked a political fight between federal and local officials.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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A recent sewage line collapse in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C. spilled over 200 million gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac River, causing widespread public health concerns. The spill has now turned into a political fight, with President Donald Trump criticizing the response efforts of Maryland's Democratic Governor Wes Moore and ordering federal agencies to intervene.

Why it matters

The Potomac River is a vital waterway surrounding the nation's capital, and the massive sewage spill has raised concerns about public health and the risks posed by aging sewer infrastructure. The political dispute between the federal government and local officials highlights the complex jurisdictional issues involved in managing regional infrastructure.

The details

The sewage line collapse occurred on January 19 in Montgomery County, Maryland, damaging part of the Potomac Interceptor sewer system and causing the overflow. The 383-mile-long Potomac River runs along the borders of Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. While drinking water was not affected, researchers detected high levels of fecal bacteria and disease-causing pathogens in the river. The emergency repair to the damaged section of the pipe is expected to take 4-6 weeks.

  • The sewage line collapsed on January 19.
  • The overflow of over 200 million gallons of raw sewage began on January 19.
  • An emergency bypass was activated on January 24 to stop the discharge.
  • The emergency repair is expected to take 4-6 weeks as of February 16.

The players

Potomac Interceptor

A 383-mile-long sewer system that carries about 60 million gallons of wastewater daily from areas near Dulles Airport to the Potomac Pumping Station in Washington, D.C. It is operated by DC Water, an independent authority of the D.C. government.

Wes Moore

The Democratic Governor of Maryland, who has been criticized by former President Donald Trump for the state's response to the sewage spill.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States, who has ordered federal agencies to intervene in the response to the Potomac River sewage spill and has criticized Maryland's Democratic Governor Wes Moore.

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What they’re saying

“There is a massive Ecological Disaster unfolding in the Potomac River as a result of the Gross Mismanagement of Local Democrat Leaders, particularly, Governor Wes Moore, of Maryland.”

— Donald Trump (Truth Social)

“If the federal government is just now showing up to take action, we will work collaboratively − as we always do − to be responsive and keep the public informed about the federal government's plan to remediate the damage.”

— Ammar Moussa, Spokesperson for Governor Wes Moore (USA TODAY)

What’s next

The emergency repair to the damaged section of the Potomac Interceptor pipe is expected to take another 4-6 weeks as of February 16, once the enhanced bypass system is activated.

The takeaway

The Potomac River sewage spill has highlighted the complex jurisdictional issues and aging infrastructure challenges facing the Washington, D.C. region, as well as the potential for political disputes to complicate emergency response efforts. Addressing the public health and environmental impacts of the spill will require coordinated action between federal, state, and local authorities.