SIGN UP HERE TO CONTINUE RECEIVING OUR NEWSLETTERS

Dear Neighbor,

As we approach one month since the massive sewage pipe collapse and spill into the Potomac River, I want to provide you with important updates after DC Water and DOEE provided a fuller briefing for the DC Council today.  

• Your drinking water remains safe, as the pipe collapse occurred below where the intake is for the Washington Aqueduct.

• Do not engage in any Potomac recreational activities, including fishing, and keep any children or pets out of the water until further guidance.

• The DC Department of Energy and the Environment (DOEE) will be measuring water quality weekly. I have asked that they consider daily or more frequent testing.  

• DC Water is continuing to work around the clock to repair the damaged section of the Potomac Interceptor. Emergency work is expected to take another 4-6 weeks, while the long-term repair work that was already ongoing will continue through the summer.  

• We are working with DOEE and DC Water to determine what remediation needs to take place and when recreation/fishing will be able to resume. As with every challenge facing our city, we know clear and frequent communication is the best way to keep residents safe and informed.  

• This effort is going to take collaboration between DC, Maryland, Virginia, and the federal government to ensure proper remediation takes place and appropriate funding and response is handled.  

• I remain committed to cleaning the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers and ensuring they can be swimmable in the near future. Smaller combined sewer overflows are sadly a normal part of our current system, which is why I am so excited for the Potomac River Tunnel, being constructed now from Georgetown, along Foggy Bottom and the Mall to the Anacostia, to be complete in 2030.  

Additionally, as we continue performance oversight, I want to remind you of several upcoming hearings and events:

• Thursday, February 19th 8:30am-12:00pm: My constituent services team is holding community office hours at Coffee Republic Downtown at 601 13th Street NW to hear from residents about community concerns and solutions. Sign up here to join my team.

• Thursday, February 19th at 9:30 am: I am holding a performance oversight hearing for the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department and the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement.

• Wednesday, February 25th at 9:30 am: I am holding a performance oversight hearing for the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, the Office of Police Complaints, and the Metropolitan Police Department.

Finally, I want to thank everyone who joined my Ward 2 Budget Forum earlier this month! Hearing directly from our residents about what you want to be prioritized in the District’s budget is critical to ensuring we have a representative government and strong solutions. From concerns with snow removal, to parking, to housing, to teen programming, to rats, we heard so many great ideas that will inform our budget investments this year and beyond.

Yours in service,

Brooke

Legislative Updates

PERFORMANCE OVERSIGHT

Corrections Information Council & Department of Corrections (DOC)

On Wednesday, February 4th, the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety held a performance oversight hearing with the Corrections Information Council and the Department of Corrections. The Corrections Information Council is an independent oversight body responsible for inspecting, monitoring, and reporting on the conditions of confinement at any facility where District residents are incarcerated, including DOC facilities, federal Bureau of Prisons facilities, and private facilities. The Department of Corrections is responsible for providing a safe and secure environment for individuals in custody at the District’s correctional facilities, which include pretrial detainees and sentenced inmates.

Chairwoman Pinto pressed DOC on the use of restrictive housing, needed updates to the food quality at the jail, efforts to prevent contraband from coming into the facilities, and improvements to the training programs and offerings to residents to set them up for success upon reentry.

Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) and Office of Attorney General

On Monday, February 9th, the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety held a performance oversight hearing with the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) and the Office of Attorney General. HSEMA's mission is to manage the planning and coordination of the District's emergency response efforts and to ensure the District is prepared to prevent, protect against, respond to, mitigate and recover from all threats and hazards, whether natural or manmade. OAG represents the District in most civil litigation, prosecutes certain adult and juvenile criminal matters, and represents the District in a variety of administrative hearings and other proceedings. In addition, OAG is responsible for advising the Executive Office of the Mayor, the Council, and various boards and commissions, and for determining legal sufficiency of proposed legislation, regulations, and commercial transactions.

Chairwoman Pinto pressed HSEMA on emergency response with this January’s snowstorm and the need for more consistent and specific communications updates to residents following an emergency. She pressed OAG on truancy reduction efforts, juvenile crime prosecutions and follow ups, and received updates on important initiatives to curve dangerous drivers and hold slum landlords accountable.

In the Community

Over the last two weeks, Councilmember Pinto and Team Pinto have met with residents, advocacy groups, and local and federal partners across the District, including:

• Speaking to the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) to discuss Councilmember Pinto’s focus on making sure we provide innovative new ways to support our federal workers and our dedicated DC government workers who serve District residents everyday

• Holding our Ward 2 Budget Forum to hear from neighbors about what they want to see prioritized for the District in this year’s budget

• Attending the Washington DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP) annual meetings to discuss economic development and growth in the District

• Joining the Potomac Riverkeeper, Dean Naujoks, to see the Potomac Interceptor spill site and bypass system and to discuss the impacts on the C&O Canal and the Potomac River and how we can ensure our waterways are cleaned and made safe

• Joining DDOT and the Black Georgetown Foundation to ensure the work to prevent stormwater runoff at 27th & Mill Road is respecting the remains at the Mt. Zion & Female Union Band Cemeteries

• Holding Constituent Services Staff Office Hours at Spot of Tea in Dupont Circle to meet with neighbors and discuss concerns and solutions for their communities.  

Announcements

Constituent Services Staff Office Hours

Join Team Pinto for constituent services staff for office hours on Thursday, February 19th at Coffee Republic Downtown! You can share concerns and solutions for your community.

Sign up here to join: https://brookepintodc.com/events/team-pinto-constituent-services-staff-office-hours-at-coffee-republic

‍