President Donald Trump has approved emergency assistance to Washington, D.C., to help the city address a sewage system leak that dumped at least 250 million gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac River.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Trump's approval on Saturday, allowing FEMA to provide equipment and resources to help with the response to the Jan. 19 spill after a pipeline ruptured.
Trump's approval of the disaster relief request comes after he criticized the handling of the spill, blaming local Democratic leaders and focusing especially on Maryland's Democratic Gov. Wes Moore. He said in his social media posts criticizing the response that local officials had not asked for emergency help and he intended to step in. However, the federal government was already involved in the repair and assessing the impact of the leak through the Environmental Protection Agency. The 72-inch pipeline, known as the Potomac Interceptor, burst on Jan. 19, sending 250 million gallons of untreated sewage into the Potomac River just north of Washington in the first five days. The leak is largely under control, but it could take months to repair the pipe fully. The local water utility, DC Water, along with the EPA, has been working to repair the leak and monitor the impact on the river. Officials have said the area's drinking water is safe, but people who use the Potomac River for recreation are being cautioned not to have direct contact with the water. Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.Finding furever homes for dogs at Dogtopia Jax Beach Blvd▶Cold cases of 2 Jacksonville men highlighted for Missing Adults Day at city hallSheriff says woman who held boys at gunpoint should have handled trespassing differentlyJSO launches new investigation on TikTok account posting women, children without consentMayor Deegan calls councilman's claims of 'toxic' culture at JEA a 'vile smear campaign' against CEOMayor Deegan calls councilman's claims of 'toxic' culture at JEA a 'vile smear campaign' against CEOHow a Clay County woman gained over half a million followers on TikTok by keeping it realSt. Johns Technical High to merge with St. Augustine High next academic school yearFrom coffee-table classics to ‘Bold’: New Jacksonville magazine honors Black legacy mediaJacksonville family sleeping in truck seeks help after house fire destroyed everything19-year-old charged in Magnolia Gardens shooting that injured 4, including Raines High studentDoes Jacksonville have the potential to be a little Hollywood?Voices of the 904: Live from LaVilla edition - A conversation on Black history and cultureJEA board nominee withdraws amid criticism over councilman’s text messages citing ‘big favor’PV Boys Hoops Playoff PrepInspection forces Jacksonville wholesale warehouse to close; Owner seeks donations to reopenConfidence grows for coaches as the bill for better pay picks up steam in Florida.St. Johns County parents express sympathy for family of 12-year-old killed in crashIt's feeling like spring. It's time to start some seeds and grow some tasty greens for spring.It's feeling like spring. It's time to start some seeds and grow some tasty greens for spring.Passion 4 Pets Adoption Event Returns Feb. 21 at Dogtopia of Jacksonville Beach BoulevardFuture Snyder Memorial Church to be discussed at DIA meetingCommunity mourns death of student killed in St. Johns County crash
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