Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a local public emergency on February 21, 2026, following a catastrophic sewage spill into the Potomac River that has persisted for over a month. The crisis stems from the collapse of a critical section of the Potomac Interceptor, a major pipeline managed by DC Water, which began leaking wastewater on January 19. More than 200 million gallons of untreated sewage have since flowed into the river, prompting urgent health and environmental concerns.
The emergency declaration aims to fast-track federal assistance for containment and cleanup efforts. Local authorities have advised residents to avoid recreational activities along affected riverbanks, while environmental groups warn of long-term ecological damage. The spill has also raised questions about aging infrastructure in the U.S. capital, with experts calling for systemic upgrades to prevent future disasters.
As of February 2026, DC Water reports progress in repairing the interceptor, but full remediation could take months. The incident underscores global challenges in urban water management, a topic increasingly relevant to Asian cities grappling with similar infrastructure pressures.
