Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser on Wednesday declared an emergency in connection with a sewage spill in the Potomac River and asked President Donald Trump for aid in dealing with the situation.

In late January, a portion of sewer line collapsed in Maryland. The D.C. Water and Sewer Authority operates the sewer line, the collapse of which saw more than 250 million gallons of sewage enter the Potomac River. 

In her emergency declaration, Bowser indicated that her government would seek a federal disaster declaration and ask that it certify the need for disaster assistance.

Bowser's order further directed local agencies to coordinate with state and federal authorities on the relief effort.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.