President Donald Trump said Monday that he is directing federal authorities to step in after a major sewer line rupture in Maryland sent huge volumes of wastewater into the Potomac River, calling it an “ecological disaster” and blaming what he described as mismanagement by local Democratic leaders. Trump made the announcement on Truth Social, saying that FEMA will lead the response.
This decision comes as health officials in Virginia issued an alert along a considerable length of the river. According to a report by the Virginia Times, the Virginia Department of Health issued a report on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, stating that people and pets should not engage in any recreational activities that may result in full-body contact with the river’s water.
State officials said the advisory is being issued “out of an abundance of caution” following a sewage spill reported Jan. 19 and subsequent reports of a sewage discharge on Feb. 7. The estimated repair timeline is four to six weeks, which VDH said informed the decision to recommend avoiding contact with river water in the affected area.
The advisory covers about 72.5 miles of the Potomac River, extending from the American Legion Memorial Bridge (I-495) in Fairfax County to the Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge (Route 301) in King George County.
The spill traces back to a collapse of the Potomac Interceptor sewer line on January 19 near the Clara Barton Parkway area in Montgomery County, Maryland. The interceptor is a major regional pipeline that carries wastewater to Washington’s Blue Plains treatment plant.
D.C. Water, which operates the system, has said crews installed a temporary bypass to reroute flows around the damaged section, reducing the amount reaching the river, but officials have warned that repairs could take months. In public updates, DC Water has also said work at the site is complex because of the pipe’s size and location.
According to VDH, there are no current signs of drinking water contamination. To get the latest information on repairs, the public can visit DC Water. The agency also offers information specific to Virginia, as well as links to Maryland and District agencies involved in the overall response.
Health officials urged residents to pay attention to advisory signage at water access points and to avoid any areas where water has a foul odor, appears discolored, or contains dead or dying fish.
If people cannot avoid contact with the river, VDH recommends washing their skin with soap and water. People should also wash their items that have come in contact with river water, such as clothing, fishing equipment, life vests, ropes, paddles, and other gear.
People who experience adverse health effects after contact with river water should seek medical care and tell a health care provider about the water exposure, VDH said.
People who are collecting fish or crabs should dispose of the skin and organs, cook the meat to a safe internal temperature, and wash their cutting boards and utensils with warm, soapy water, the agency recommends.
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