EPA Speaks Out on Potomac Sewage 'Crisis'

Trump says local leaders need to ask for help politely

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The Environmental Protection Agency has labeled the Potomac River spill "a sewage crisis of historic proportion" after a sewer main collapse last month sent roughly 243 million gallons of raw sewage into the waterway north of Washington, DC. The disaster has triggered a political fight, with the EPA saying neither Maryland nor DC has requested its help, while Trump blames Democrats and says FEMA would lead the federal response if local leaders make a "polite" request.

Why it matters

The Potomac River spill has raised concerns about public health and the environment, as well as highlighted the ongoing political tensions between federal and local authorities over who is responsible for the cleanup and response efforts.

The details

Tests near the break showed bacteria hundreds of times above federal safety levels, though samples analyzed Monday from DC's Georgetown area fell within acceptable limits. DC Water, a utility under EPA oversight, says a bypass is in place and emergency repairs should wrap by mid-March, with long-term fixes taking up to 10 months. The city's drinking water remains unaffected.

  • On January 19, a sewer main collapse sent roughly 243 million gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac River.
  • On February 19, 2026, the EPA labeled the Potomac River spill "a sewage crisis of historic proportion".

The players

EPA

The Environmental Protection Agency, which has labeled the Potomac River spill "a sewage crisis of historic proportion".

Lee Zeldin

The EPA Administrator, who said the "Trump EPA stands ready, motivated, and highly capable to assist in any way possible to fulfill President Trump's strong desire to END this disaster."

Wes Moore

The Maryland Governor, who countered that the federal government has long been responsible for the 54-mile Potomac Interceptor pipe and that state crews have contained about 99% of the spill without EPA assistance.

Ammar Moussa

A spokesperson for Governor Wes Moore, who said "For the last four weeks, the Trump administration has failed to act, shirking its responsibility and putting people's health at risk."

DC Water

A utility under EPA oversight, which says a bypass is in place and emergency repairs should wrap by mid-March, with long-term fixes taking up to 10 months.

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What they’re saying

“The Federal Government is not at all involved with what has taken place, but we can fix it.”

— Donald Trump (Truth Social)

“For the last four weeks, the Trump administration has failed to act, shirking its responsibility and putting people's health at risk.”

— Ammar Moussa, Spokesperson for Governor Wes Moore (The Hill)

“The sewer system, the water system are completely separate.”

— Sherri Lewis, DC Water spokesperson (NBC News)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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