Donald Trump on Saturday approved a federal emergency declaration for a sewer main break north of Washington DC that threatens to stink up US 250th anniversary celebrations in the US capital this summer.
“The President’s action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts to reduce the hardship and suffering caused by emergencies on local populations and to provide adequate assistance to save lives, protect property, public health and safety, and reduce the threat of disaster,” a release from the Federal Emergency Management Agency said.
A 72in Potomac interceptor pipe burst last month, sending millions of gallons of raw, untreated sewage into the Potomac River. The Washington Post said: “Raw sewage flowed toward the capital city in what is now the largest sewage spill in US history.”
Earlier this month, local utility company DC Water estimated that 243m gallons of sewage had leaked from the 54-mile (87 km) line before a temporary bypass was installed.
Saturday’s emergency declaration will allow FEMA to mobilize to support cleanup and recovery efforts in Washington DC and surrounding areas of Maryland and Virginia. The sewage spill has prompted mounting questions about environmental concerns, recreational advice and infrastructure management.
On Wednesday, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a local public emergency. Bowser also wrote a letter to Trump asking Washington to declare a major disaster. The spill resulted in hazardous levels e Coli bacteria in the Potomac, and the DC Department of Energy and Environment recommends avoiding contact with the river.
Trump blamed local and state officials for the spill and ordered federal officials to “protect” the Potomac, calling it an “environmental disaster.” But officials are at loggerheads over which agency or utility is responsible.
Jay Apperson, a spokesman for the Maryland Department of the Environment, told The Hill in an email, “Although the ruptured portion of the pipe is located in Maryland, DC Water owns and operates the Potomac Interceptor, and it is regulated and monitored by the federal government, specifically the US EPA. [Environmental Protection Agency]”.
“Also, although the interceptor is in the state of Maryland, the break is more precisely located in the C&O Canal National Historical Park, which is National Park Service property,” he added.
Trump wrote on his Truth social network Tuesday that Bowser, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger “must take immediate action” and said the federal government will “fix” the problem.
This comes after Moore, a Democrat, blamed Trump for the spill.
“The president has his facts wrong — again. Since the last century, the federal government has been responsible for the Potomac Interceptor, the source of sewage leakage. For the past four weeks, the Trump administration has failed to act, shirking its responsibility and putting public health at risk,” Ammar Moussa said.
