02/19/2026, 07:2702/19/2026, 07:27
Weeks after a leak in a sewer pipe became known, the mayor of the US capital Washington, Muriel Bowser, declared a state of emergency and asked the federal government for help. She also called on US President Donald Trump to declare a disaster emergency – this will allow local authorities to apply for access to federal funds and have costs reimbursed by the federal government. Bowser hopes to pass on the costs for emergency services and repairs entirely to the federal government.
Workers build a cofferdam to stop the flow of raw sewage into the Potomac River.Image: FR170079 AP
In mid-January, a pipe broke in the neighboring state of Maryland, and wastewater flowed unfiltered into the Potomac River for days. According to the water supplier, the equivalent of more than 757 million liters of dirty water ended up in the river. Wastewater has only stopped flowing into the Potomac since February 9th – but the repairs are expected to continue for another four to six weeks, it is said. The drinking water is not affected by the incident.
Raw sewage flowed into the Potomac River.Image: FR170079 AP
Trump had already intervened in the case and called on the authorities in the neighboring states of Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia to “act immediately”. If they are unable to get the problem under control, they would have to “politely ask Trump for help.” (sda/dpa)