Press Releases

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO), Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Mike Collins (R-GA), and other T&I Committee Republicans wrote to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to request information pertaining to the January 19, 2026, collapse of the Potomac Interceptor in Montgomery County, Maryland, and the resulting discharge of hundreds of millions of untreated or partially treated sewage into the Potomac River.

On January 19, 2026, a 72-inch section of the Potomac Interceptor sewer line collapsed in Montgomery County, Maryland. The incident caused an overflow of more than 243 million gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac River, with E. coli levels initially over 1,000 times higher than safety limits. Officials issued public health advisories and installed temporary bypass systems to divert wastewater while crews worked to contain the spill.

In the letter, the Members request information related to the situation as part of the Committee’s oversight responsibilities, stating, “The magnitude of this discharge raises serious concerns regarding Maryland’s compliance with the Clean Water Act (CWA) and the adequacy of state enforcement under delegated authority. As the holder of sole jurisdiction over the CWA in the House of Representatives, the Committee is particularly interested in effective functioning of the Act.”

In accordance with Section 402 of the CWA, which authorizes the EPA to delegate the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting program to states, the EPA has delegated NPDES authority to Maryland. As a result, the Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) is the chief authority for enforcing permit conditions, prohibiting unpermitted discharges, and ensuring compliance with Maryland’s water quality standards codified in the Code of Maryland Regulations. However, Section 402 also states that the EPA retains federal oversight authority to ensure that state programs are administered in accordance with federal law.

Additionally, the Members write in the letter that they are ready to support the EPA as it continues its investigation into the sewage leakage.

Click here to read the full letter.