Army Corps joins Potomac River sewage spill response

Federal aid approved as D.C. works to repair 60-year-old pipe and mitigate environmental damage

Feb. 24, 2026 at 12:48am

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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has joined the response to a major sewage spill on the Potomac River near Washington, D.C. after President Trump approved an emergency declaration requested by the District. The Corps is working to divert stormwater and prevent further contamination as D.C. Water works to repair the damaged 60-year-old pipe that caused the spill, which has released an estimated 243 million gallons of sewage into the river.

Why it matters

The Potomac River spill is one of the worst in recent memory, raising concerns about aging infrastructure, environmental damage, and the need for federal assistance when local resources are overwhelmed. The spill has prompted a multi-agency response to contain the contamination and restore the river.

The details

The Army Corps of Engineers joined the response on Saturday, the same day President Trump approved D.C.'s emergency declaration. The Corps is working to divert stormwater away from the repair site to protect equipment and workers. D.C. Water, which owns the damaged Potomac Interceptor pipe, has been challenged by heavy rainfall that has hampered repair efforts. The Corps is also trying to prevent contaminants from the site from being carried into the river by runoff. D.C. Water estimates the repair and environmental restoration will cost around $20 million.

  • The sewage spill occurred on January 19, 2026.
  • D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser issued a 15-day disaster declaration due to the spill on February 23, 2026.
  • President Trump approved D.C.'s emergency declaration on February 23, 2026.
  • The Army Corps of Engineers joined the response on February 24, 2026.
  • D.C. Water hopes to have a repair in place by mid-March 2026.

The players

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

A federal agency that provides engineering services and environmental protection, and is now assisting with the Potomac River spill response.

President Donald Trump

The President of the United States who approved D.C.'s emergency declaration request related to the Potomac River sewage spill.

Muriel Bowser

The Mayor of Washington, D.C. who issued a 15-day disaster declaration due to the Potomac River sewage spill.

DC Water

The independent authority that owns the damaged Potomac Interceptor pipe and is leading the repair efforts.

Col. Francis B. Pera

The district commander for the Baltimore district of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

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What they’re saying

“What we're trying to do is mitigate any additional contamination into the Potomac by keeping the stormwater from traveling against that contaminated soil, and then running back into the Potomac.”

— Col. Francis B. Pera, District Commander, Baltimore District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

“When we had the heavy rains last week, we were getting inundated by the runoff from the American Legion bridge and from the Clara Barton Parkway into where our pumps were. It created this cascading effect of water going into the Potomac Interceptor, where we were pumping everything out.”

— Sherri Lewis, Spokesperson, DC Water

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This emergency response highlights the aging infrastructure challenges facing the nation's capital, as well as the need for coordinated federal, state, and local efforts to address major environmental disasters that threaten public health and the natural ecosystem of the Potomac River.