Laurel, Md. – September 2, 2024, 10 a.m. – WSSC Water today announced it will issue an essential-water-use-only request for 40,000 customers, approximately 110,000 residents, in southern Prince George’s County. The request will go into effect Wednesday, September 4, at 8 p.m. and continue until crews proactively replace a failing section of 36-inch-diameter prestressed concrete cylinder pipe (PCCP) water transmission main. Work is expected to take three days to complete. The essential-water-use-only request will be lifted when the water distribution system returns to normal – ensuring fire protection and water supply for customers. This work schedule may be impacted by weather and other construction-related factors.
The conservation request will impact customers in the following areas: Clinton, Rosaryville, Marlton, Brandywine, Accokeek and Portions of Ft. Washington. Type your address in the interactive map to determine if you are located in the affected area.
Following the guidance below could avoid a Boil Water Advisory (BWA) for the impacted areas and help preserve water for fire protection as the main is taken out of service to safely replace the failing section.
Given that many residents are returning from the holiday break, WSSC Water recommends customers do laundry and dishes before the essential-water-use-only request goes into effect on Wednesday, September 4,
at 8 p.m.
Once the essential-water-use-only request goes into effect on Wednesday, September 4, at 8 p.m., all customers in the impacted area are urged to:
- Stop all outside water use – no watering lawns, washing cars or topping off swimming pools.
- Use water only, as necessary – i.e., take shorter showers and quickly turn off faucets immediately after use.
- Limit flushing toilets (do not flush after every use).
- Limit using washing machines and dishwashers to full loads only.
Next Steps
Crews will start work to replace the section of main early Thursday morning and continue around-the-clock. Work is expected to take three days to complete. The essential-water-use-only request will be lifted when the water distribution system returns to normal – ensuring fire protection and water supply for customers. This work schedule may be impacted by weather and other construction-related factors.
Work Zone Safety
If it rains during any portion of emergency replacement work, WSSC Water will close portions of Dower House Road from Woodyard Road to Old Marlboro Pike to local traffic only. Dower House Road will be completely closed to all traffic between Old Pike Way and Pearl Harbor Drive – only if it rains.
Risks
Should pipe replacement take longer than expected, or if water use increases during this planned emergency work, there is a risk of no water for a period of time until the water main is put back in service. If this were to happen, WSSC Water would issue a BWA and sample water from across the area to ensure it is safe for consumption. Once water safety has been confirmed, WSSC Water will lift the BWA and will notify customers that the advisory has been lifted.
Acoustic Fiber Optic Technology Alerts WSSC Water
The failing 16-foot-long section of the 36-inch-diameter PCCP water transmission main is under Dower House Road, just south of MD 4 (Pennsylvania Avenue). This main was installed in 1968. As with other large diameter PCCP, WSSC Water installed an Acoustic Fiber Optic (AFO) cable within this pipe. The AFO cable, which floats inside the pipe, continuously monitors the integrity of large diameter PCCP and provides notification to trained personnel if a potential problem is detected. WSSC Water began installing AFO in 2007 and has the longest active AFO monitoring system in the country at 110 miles.
Since late 2022, the AFO system has alerted WSSC Water to breaks within the reinforcing steel wires that help maintain the structural integrity of this concrete pipe. Wire breaks are not uncommon within PCCP. When the number of breaks reaches a certain threshold, WSSC Water will proactively replace the pipe. Based on recent AFO data, it is time to replace this section of this pipe before it fails. Thanks to AFO, WSSC Water can make repairs in a controlled environment - greatly reducing the chance of emergency repairs and associated costs.
The Success of AFO for WSSC Water Customers
- WSSC Water has invested $28.7 million in this cutting-edge technology.
- Since 2007, AFO has avoided 55 costly emergency repairs.
- Saving customers more than $137 million.
- The estimated emergency repair and restoration costs for PCCP is approximately $2.5 million.
- The estimated cost of replacing PCCP under controlled conditions ranges from approximately $250,000 - $500,000.
WSSC Water will provide continual updates throughout this event. Check the WSSC Water website, X (@WSSCWaterNews) and Facebook for updates as this situation develops. More information will also be posted at wsscwater.com/essential-use.
