Trump Declares Emergency for Potomac Sewage Spill

FEMA mobilized to assist with clean-up of 243 million gallons of untreated wastewater leak

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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President Donald Trump has approved an emergency declaration that will mobilize the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist in the clean-up of a massive sewage spill in the Potomac River. The spill, which began on January 19th, has released over 243 million gallons of untreated wastewater into the river that runs between Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

Why it matters

The Potomac River is a critical waterway that provides drinking water and recreational opportunities for millions of people in the region. The large-scale sewage spill poses significant public health and environmental risks, necessitating a coordinated federal response to mitigate the damage.

The details

The sewage spill occurred when the Potomac Interceptor, a 72-inch diameter pipe that carries up to 60 million gallons of wastewater per day, ruptured on January 19th. DC Water, the utility that operates the pipe, installed a temporary bypass on January 24th to stop additional wastewater from leaking into the river. However, the initial spill of 243 million gallons of untreated sewage has already caused significant contamination.

  • The sewage spill began on January 19, 2026.
  • DC Water installed a temporary bypass on January 24, 2026 to stop additional wastewater from leaking.
  • On February 18, 2026, Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser formally declared a major disaster and requested federal assistance.
  • On February 21, 2026, President Trump approved the emergency declaration, mobilizing FEMA to assist with the clean-up.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who approved the emergency declaration to mobilize FEMA.

Muriel Bowser

The Mayor of Washington, D.C. who formally declared a major disaster and requested federal assistance.

DC Water

The utility that operates the Potomac Interceptor pipe and installed a temporary bypass to stop additional wastewater from leaking.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

The federal agency that will be mobilized to coordinate disaster relief efforts and provide assistance for the sewage spill clean-up.

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What’s next

The clean-up efforts coordinated by FEMA are expected to take up to 10 months to complete the permanent fix to the ruptured Potomac Interceptor pipe.

The takeaway

This emergency declaration highlights the critical importance of maintaining and investing in the region's aging water infrastructure to prevent large-scale environmental disasters that threaten public health and safety. The federal response also demonstrates the need for coordinated, multi-jurisdictional efforts to effectively manage and mitigate the impacts of such incidents.