The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that wastewater flow has been restored to the Potomac Interceptor a full week ahead of schedule, following a recent collapse and resulting sewage crisis.
EPA Senior Response Officer and Assistant Administrator for Water Jessica Kramer provided an update at a press conference, joined by officials from DC Water, the District of Columbia, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the National Park Service. Kramer said, "The fact that wastewater is flowing safely through the Potomac Interceptor ahead of schedule is a significant milestone and cause for celebration, but that does not mean we are taking our foot off the gas. We will be on the ground, working at full speed, until the site and surrounding area are fully remediated. And we will get it done in time for America 250 celebrations."
As part of ongoing remediation efforts, EPA assumed responsibility for water quality sampling previously conducted by the DC Department of Energy and Environment as of March 16. This marks the next phase in coordinated federal response and environmental cleanup activities.
The press conference included remarks from representatives across multiple agencies involved in addressing both immediate repairs and longer-term environmental impacts from the collapse.
Additional information about these federal response efforts can be found according to the official roster page.
