President Donald Trump has launched a fresh attack on Maryland Governor Wes Moore over a major sewage spill in the Potomac River, calling it an “ecological disaster” and claiming the federal government must step in.
The spill, which began in January, has already released an estimated 243 million gallons of wastewater into the river near Cabin John, Maryland, and repair crews still have not completed the work.
The incident has triggered serious health warnings and growing political blame, as authorities work to stop contamination spreading further through one of the most important waterways in the Washington D.C. region.
What happened in the Wes Moore sewage spill case?
The crisis started when an ageing sewer pipe, believed to be around 60 years old, burst near Cabin John in Maryland in January. The pipe is part of the wider sewage system serving Washington, D.C. and nearby areas.
Since the rupture, wastewater has poured into the Potomac River, one of the most well-known rivers in the United States.
Officials estimate the spill has released hundreds of millions of gallons of sewage into the river, making it one of the largest sewage leak incidents seen in the country.
Why is Trump blaming Governor Wes Moore?
Trump used social media to claim the spill happened due to “gross mismanagement” by local Democratic leadership, naming Governor Wes Moore directly.
He described the situation as a “massive ecological disaster” and said the problem shows local authorities cannot manage major infrastructure emergencies.
🚨 BREAKING: President Trump announces FEDERAL TAKEOVER after Maryland Gov. Wes Moore allows ecological disaster in the Potomac River
Imagine that, INCOMPETENT Dems just NUKED the environment!
“A sewer line breach in Maryland has caused millions of gallons of raw sewage to be… pic.twitter.com/XdFreNNGUx
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) February 16, 2026
Trump also took a swipe at Moore’s wider leadership record, referring to the delayed rebuilding of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed in 2024 after a ship collision.
The former president suggested that Maryland’s government cannot manage large-scale emergencies, using the sewage spill as a fresh example.
Who is actually responsible for the sewage infrastructure?
Governor Wes Moore’s office has pushed back strongly against Trump’s accusations.
Moore’s team claims the federal government holds responsibility for regulating the damaged section of the sewer system, and argues Maryland has acted quickly to protect residents.
A spokesperson for Moore said state officials arrived at the site within hours and worked to ensure local residents understood the risk.
The governor’s office also criticised federal officials for refusing to attend a legislative hearing about the spill, claiming it slowed accountability and coordination.
How much sewage has entered the Potomac River so far?
Authorities estimate the Potomac River spill has released around:
- 243 million gallons of wastewater
- Equivalent to roughly 920 million litres
That volume is large enough to fill hundreds of Olympic-sized swimming pools.
This level of contamination creates serious risks for both wildlife and public health, especially for anyone coming into contact with the river water.
What risks does the sewage spill pose to public health?
Raw sewage can carry dangerous bacteria, including E. coli and other pathogens. Public health officials have warned residents to avoid river contact.
🚨 NOW: DC and Maryland Democrats are STILL pumping raw sewage DIRECTLY into waterways leading to the Potomac River, with NO end in sight
Where the hell are the environmentalists??!
Oh that’s right — they don’t care, b/c this isn’t politically expedient pic.twitter.com/761u6BYRMS
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) February 16, 2026
The main risks include:
- Skin infections after contact with contaminated water
- Stomach illnesses if polluted water is swallowed
- Risks to pets, especially dogs that drink from rivers
- Threats to fish populations and aquatic ecosystems
Local health agencies have urged people to stay away from the river, avoid fishing, and keep pets out of the water until contamination levels return to safe limits.
What is FEMA doing in response to the Wes Moore sewage spill?
Trump said the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will take a “key role” in the response.
This is significant because FEMA typically becomes involved in major emergencies such as floods, hurricanes, and disaster recovery operations. A sewage spill of this scale may fall into a grey area, which makes Trump’s announcement politically and operationally important.
The move also comes at a time when FEMA’s future remains uncertain, with talk in Washington about restructuring the agency or cutting staff.
How long will repairs take, and why is it taking so long?
Local officials have installed a temporary bypass system to redirect wastewater back into the sewage network. However, they warn that the pipe repair could take up to nine months.
Engineers say the work is slow because:
- The pipeline is old and difficult to access
- Repairs require heavy equipment and careful planning
- Contaminated water conditions complicate construction
- Long-term fixes require major replacement, not quick patching
The spill has raised fresh concerns about the state of ageing infrastructure across the region.
Could this have been prevented?
Many critics argue that this disaster highlights what happens when major sewer systems operate beyond their intended lifespan.
Pipes built in the 1960s were never designed to carry today’s population levels or endure decades of wear without replacement.
The situation also raises questions about long-term investment decisions, particularly whether authorities have delayed upgrades due to cost pressures or political disputes.
