EPA Administrator Zeldin Surveys Potomac Interceptor Collapse Site
GLEN ECHO, MD – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin yesterday visited the site of the Potomac Interceptor Collapse for an in-person look at the repair process. The visit included a briefing on the latest plans, developments and timeline for full repair and environmental remediation. Administrator Zeldin was joined at the site by EPA’s Senior Response Officer Jessica Kramer, DC Water CEO David Gadis, along with other officials from DC Water and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) who are on the ground actively working on the repair.
“From the moment Mayor Bowser requested federal assistance last week, President Trump instantly deployed his Administration to do everything in our power to help resolve this sewage crisis at the Potomac Interceptor site,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “Following my visit to the site, I’m extremely pleased with the unified Trump Administration response, including EPA, FEMA, Army Corps and National Park Service, to exceptionally assist DC Water with this urgent rebuild and environmental remediation.”
Footage from Administrator Zeldin’s visit to the collapse site can be found here.
Administrator Zeldin also discussed what he saw at the site yesterday with John Roberts and Sandra Smith on Fox News’ “America Reports.”
Background
Following a request for federal assistance from Mayor Bowser last week, the White House assigned EPA as the lead federal agency in response to the Potomac Interceptor collapse that resulted in at least 240 million gallons of raw, untreated sewage discharging into the Potomac River.
As part of EPA’s enhanced role, the agency is actively coordinating with all federal agencies and DC Water to ensure appropriate and expeditious measures are utilized to protect public health and prevent additional overflows until the pipe is repaired and the Potomac Interceptor is fully functional again. This repair is currently projected to be completed by mid-March. EPA is also coordinating with the other agencies involved to ensure site clean-up activities are completed well before America250 festivities on the Potomac begin. Finally, EPA will ensure DC Water evaluates all Potomac Interceptor infrastructure to identify other areas requiring maintenance or repair as expeditiously as possible.
EPA has open and transparent lines of communication with DC Water, state and local partners, and the public. The agency is committed to coordinating with all federal partners to conduct robust oversight, implement a streamlined and efficient communication strategy, and provide resources to support the completion of repairs and remediation efforts as quickly as possible.