Cabin John, Maryland — Nearly a month after a major sewer pipe rupture sent an estimated 243 million gallons of untreated waste into the Potomac River, tensions escalated between President Donald Trump and Maryland officials over who bears responsibility for the response.
Trump said Monday that the federal government “has no choice but to step in” and address what he called a “massive Ecological Disaster” caused by the “Gross Mismanagement of Local Democrat Leaders,” including Gov. Wes Moore.
Moore’s administration pushed back, noting that the Potomac Interceptor pipe, though located on the Maryland side near Cabin John, falls under the jurisdiction of DC Water. Spokesperson Ammar Moussa said federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, have oversight authority and accused the administration of failing to act sooner.
The pipe ruptured Jan. 19, and while sewage flow has been redirected into a C&O Canal lock, overflow events have continued, including pump failures earlier this month. Maryland’s Department of the Environment has closed shellfish harvesting areas and is monitoring drinking water intakes, which officials say remain unaffected.
Trump said FEMA would assist with management and coordination, while EPA stated its role has been limited to specific support activities.
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