Overview
- Containment has held since Feb. 9, and authorities say drinking water is unaffected as recreation warnings continue near the rupture where E. coli remains elevated.
- Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a public health emergency and formally requested a Presidential Emergency Disaster Declaration seeking federal reimbursement for response costs.
- FEMA says it is monitoring the incident, and the agency has not deployed significant resources to on‑the‑ground cleanup.
- DC Water estimates roughly $20 million in near‑term cleanup and repair costs and says customers will not see a rate hike, with an intermunicipal agreement leaving Maryland and Virginia responsible for more than half the bill.
- House Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans opened an inquiry into DC Water, citing prior risk assessments on the Potomac Interceptor and demanding documents by March 6.