National Capital Region Delegation demands water infrastructure repairs
On Feb. 24, 2026, Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (D-VA), Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA), Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC) led 10 National Capital Region Representatives to demand the full authorization and funding of federal programs to repair and modernize critical water infrastructure nationwide, including urgent repairs to the Potomac Interceptor.
In a letter addressed to leaders of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Members requested specific funding to rehabilitate and modernize the Potomac Interceptor, in addition to the reauthorization of and increased funding for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, which helps states and localities repair and modernize wastewater infrastructure.
“Congress must play a role in solving this crisis, investing in our nation’s wastewater infrastructure, and preventing this and similar crises from recurring. The failure of the Potomac Interceptor is an acute crisis for our region,” wrote the Members. “The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has stated that, ‘Our water infrastructure is aging and in need of repair to withstand the challenges of the 21st century.’ EPA’s most recent Clean Watersheds Needs Survey found that our wastewater infrastructure will require more than $630 billion in repairs and updates over the next two decades, far outpacing local and state capacity.”
