Rep. McClain Delaney and National Capital Region Lawmakers Demand Urgent Action to Repair and Modernize Potomac River Wastewater Pipeline

WASHINGTON, DC-This week, Rep. April McClain Delaney (D-MD) and 13 other Members of Congress called for urgent action to repair and modernize the Potomac Inteceptor-a major regional wastewater pipeline that recently failed, resulting in a serious spill of nearly 250 million gallons of sewage into the Potomac River.

In a letter addressed to the leadership of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the lawmakers called for urgent action to repair the Potomac Interceptor and to "fully authorize and fund federal programs that prevent these crises for our region and others nationwide." This includes reauthorizing and increasing funding for EPA's Clean Water State Revolving Fund, and directing a comprehensive U.S. Army Corps of Engineers study to identify a backup water supply for the Washington region, which currently lacks a secondary water source.

The letter was led by Reps. Don Beyer (D-VA) and Jamie Raskin (D-MD), and Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC). It was also signed by Reps. Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Bobby Scott (D-VA), Kweisi Mfume (D-MD), Glenn Ivey (D-MD), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA), Sarah Elfreth (D-MD), Johnny Olszewski (D-MD), Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA), Eugene Vindman (D-VA), and James Walkinshaw (D-VA).

In a separate statement, the Congresswoman added: "The disaster on the Potomac River threatens our environment, economy, and public safety. It's a stark reminder that without meaningful infrastructure investment, devastation can happen anywhere. The President should stop pointing fingers at our Governor and instead work with Congress and state and local leaders to keep our waterways safe, healthy, and productive."

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For updates, follow Rep. McClain Delaney at @RepAprilDelaney.

Congresswoman April McClain Delaney was elected in 2024 to serve Maryland's 6th Congressional District, which encompasses all or part of Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany and Garrett Counties. In Congress, McClain Delaney is focused on improving US competitiveness and innovation, protecting our natural environment and championing policies that represent the values and priorities of Maryland's 6th District.