Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Environmental Protection Agency are being deployed to assist with the cleanup of a massive sewage spill into the Potomac River, as political tensions escalate over federal funding and responsibility.

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President Donald Trump approved Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser’s request for federal disaster assistance after a sewer line collapse sent an estimated 243 million gallons of untreated wastewater into the Potomac River through Jan. 24, KRCR reported.

Bowser declared a local public emergency and requested federal support in a 15-day order, directing city officials to coordinate mutual aid agreements with federal, state, and local jurisdictions.

She also asked the president to declare a major disaster and to authorize 100 percent federal reimbursement for costs incurred by the District and DC Water.

In a statement posted on social media, Noem said Trump directed FEMA and the EPA to provide emergency assistance to the District.Today, President Trump directed FEMA and EPA to provide emergency assistance to the District of Columbia as they work to protect people from the effects of the recent spill in the Potomac,” Noem wrote.

She said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and DHS would coordinate closely to ensure federal support.

According to Noem, FEMA is deploying a team to assist with incident management and coordinate federal resources alongside local officials.