Final Update – 6:30 p.m. Monday, January 13, 2025 Essential-Water-Use-Only Request LIFTED

Water Distribution System Demands and Pressure Have Stabilized and Water Storage Levels Have Return to Normal  

Crews Continue Repairing Broken Water Mains Around the Clock with Support from Emergency Contractors

WSSC Water Appreciates the Cooperation, Partnership and Patience of Customers

Written by

Luis Maya

Laurel, Md. – January 13, 2025, 6:30 p.m. – Due in part to the public’s water-conservation efforts, WSSC Water has lifted the essential-water-use-only request as of 6:30 p.m. today for all 1.9 million customers in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties.

The water distribution system demand and pressure have stabilized, and water storage levels have returned to normal. The Potomac and Patuxent Water Filtration Plants continue to produce water, meeting customer demand.

Why was this essential water use request made?

A high number of water main breaks/leaks coupled with water production limitations brought on by the cold temperatures increased the risk of loss of pressure system-wide.
From January 1-13: WSSC Water has experienced about 220 breaks/leaks with approximately184 of those occurring in the past 6 days.
On Sunday, January 12, a 24” water main break and a 12” main break that had not been identified threatened system storage reserves.
While additional crews and contractors were mobilized, WSSC Water requested essential use only as a means of taking some of the water demand off of the system to allow storage levels to increase and pressures to stabilize.

The essential-water-use-only request is rare. WSSC Water will use this water conservation tool after careful consideration and only if any portion of the water distribution system is at risk of losing water pressure, which can impact fire protection and possibly result in a Boil Water Advisory.

Customers are urged to continue reporting suspected water main breaks and leaks by calling WSSC Water’s Emergency Services Center at (301) 206-4002 or using the WSSC Water Mobile App using the Report a Problem feature.

WSSC Water appreciates the cooperation, partnership, and patience of our customers. Their efforts to limit water use helped avoid a potential Boil Water Advisory and ensured adequate fire protection across Prince George’s and Montgomery counties.

WSSC Water is the proud provider of safe, seamless and satisfying water services, making the essential possible every day for our neighbors in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. We work to deliver our best because it’s what our customers expect and deserve.