WSSC Water Crews Quickly Respond to Sanitary Sewer Overflow in Germantown

Laurel, Md. – September 24, 2021 – WSSC Water crews quickly responded to a Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) today entering Seneca Creek. The overflow, which was detected at 2:09 p.m., is ongoing and located in a heavily wooded area of Montgomery County near 18845 Porterfield Way in Germantown. The total volume of this overflow is estimated to be in excess of 10,000 gallons.

Crews are working to access the site and set up a temporary bypass pumping operation to move the wastewater around a collapsed section of the 30-inch diameter sewer pipe causing the overflow. The untreated wastewater is flowing into Seneca Creek. Signs warning residents to avoid the area will be posted on Saturday. Crews will investigate to determine what caused the pipe to collapse.

WSSC Water has made appropriate notifications to the Maryland Department of the Environment and the health departments in both counties.  

WSSC Water is committed to protecting the health of the public and the environment. With more than 5,500 miles of sewer mains throughout its service area, WSSC Water appreciates notifications from citizens if a sewer overflow or water main break is suspected. Citizens can call WSSC Water’s 24-hour Emergency Call Center at 301-206-4002 to report water or sewer emergencies in Prince George’s or Montgomery counties.

Customers can also report emergencies via email at emergencycallcenter@wsscwater.com, and those customers who have smartphones can report emergencies using the WSSC Water Mobile App.