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DC Water Repairs Sewage Leak, Emergency Declared

3/16/2026

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Story summary
  • DC Water completed emergency repairs to a sewage pipe ruptured January 19, leaking 250 million gallons into the Potomac River, with testing confirming capacity.
  • Mayor Muriel Bowser declared an emergency and federal assistance flowed from U.S. President Donald Trump.
  • Betsy Nicholas of the Potomac Riverkeeper Network urged ecological assessments to prevent future incidents.
  • DC Water will hold public meetings next week in Bethesda, MD, and Alexandria, VA, to discuss repairs.