WSSC Water Lifts Boil Water Advisory Impacting Customers in Southern Prince George’s County Following Major Water Main Break on Tuesday

Laurel, Md. – Wednesday, February 12, 2025, 4:25 p.m. – WSSC Water has lifted the Boil Water Advisory (BWA) for customers in southern Prince George’s County as of 4:25 p.m. today. Test results indicate the water is safe to consume. WSSC Water worked closely with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) to develop a comprehensive water quality sampling strategy from locations spread across the impacted area – helping to confirm the safety of the drinking water for all customers in the area. 

Now that the BWA is lifted, WSSC Water asks affected customers to:

• Begin with a sink faucet on the lowest floor.
• Slowly open the cold water sink faucet. Opening slowly allows for the release of trapped air and may reduce the banging noise, known as a “water hammer” that can occur when water flow and pressure changes.
• Repeat on each floor, moving from lowest to highest, only opening cold water sink faucets.
• Once the water runs clear, usually in 5 minutes or less, turn off faucets in the same order, lowest to highest.
• You should also flush your refrigerator’s water lines.
• Customers and businesses should also dispose of stored water, drinks, or ice made since the BWA. The next three batches of ice should also be thrown out. Ice maker containers should be wiped clean with a solution of two tablespoons of bleach to one gallon of water.

Type your address in the interactive map to find out if you need to follow the final precautions listed above. You can find information on the steps to take after a boil water advisory is lifted at wsscwater.com/bwa.

If customers still experience problems after performing the above procedures, or if they have any questions, please contact our Emergency Services Center 24/7 at 301-206-4002.

The BWA was necessary because a large portion of the WSSC Water system in Southern Prince George’s County lost pressure after a major break on a 54-inch diameter water main located in a wooded area off I-495 near MD 214 on Tuesday, February 11. The BWA is precautionary and was implemented because of an increased risk of contamination to the water distribution system when pressure is lost. 

WSSC Water continues working to repair the large water main. Because of its location, crews had to build an access road and install a temporary bridge to reach the broken pipe. The lifting of the BWA is not tied to the completion of water main repairs.  

Follow WSSC Water on social media to stay informed (X, Facebook, Instagram, Nextdoor). Customers are also encouraged to sign up to receive alerts in case of any future water main breaks or other water or sewer emergencies near their homes or businesses: wsscwater.com/cns.

WSSC Water appreciates the steadfast partnership with Prince George’s County and thanks customers for their patience and understanding during this emergency situation.

Water and sewer emergencies can be reported 24/7/365 by contacting the WSSC Water Emergency Services Center at 301-206-4002.