President Trump Approves Emergency Declaration to Fast-Track Federal Aid for the District of Columbia

The Department of Homeland Security is pushing to deliver swift aid to strengthen response efforts and stabilize the affected area.

WASHINGTON - Under the leadership of President Trump and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, FEMA is actively coordinating with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to support cleanup response efforts due to the recent Potomac Interceptor sewer line collapse in the District of Columbia. Residents and visitors should continue following safety instructions from local officials. President Trump's rapid approval of the District's request facilitated this coordination.

"This emergency declaration was approved in record time, another example of this Administration's commitment to removing unnecessary roadblocks and quickly getting resources to communities who need help," said Secretary Noem. "FEMA will continue to work with the Environmental Protection Agency to ensure that the District of Columbia has the tools and funding it needs to clean up the river, repair the sewer line and keep its residents safe."

What the Emergency Declaration Includes

President Trump approved a federal emergency disaster declaration for the District of Columbia and the areas where the District has responsibilities in the State of Maryland and Commonwealth of Virginia - enabling the District to access critical federal resources to supplement their response efforts, if needed.

FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize and provide, at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impact of the emergency. FEMA is providing direct federal assistance at a 75% cost share, allowing the agency to tap into the expertise and resources of other federal agencies.

What FEMA is Doing

FEMA is deploying a team to support incident management, working directly with local officials and federal partners to coordinate federal resources. FEMA's efforts will focus on response coordination, prioritizing resources to expedite the repair of the pipeline, assist in the remediation and cleanup of the associated spill and support the local jurisdictions with ongoing testing to ensure the safety of the community.

FEMA is working in close coordination with the EPA and key District officials to ensure the federal government's resources are fully leveraged.

Safety Tips

Avoid contact with untreated sewage, as it may carry bacteria and viruses. Anyone who comes in contact with the wastewater overflow should:

• Leave the area immediately.
• Wash exposed skin thoroughly with soap and clean water.
• Disinfect any affected areas or items.
• Avoid consuming food or water that may have been exposed.
• Seek medical attention if symptoms occur.

Report any exposure to DC Water at (202) 612-3400. For more local safety information, please visit https://www.DCwater.com.