- WSSC Water is experiencing increased chloride (salt) levels in drinking water – which could prompt some customers to notice a salty, bitter taste.
- The increase in salt at our Potomac Water Filtration Plant is due to salt in snowmelt runoff.
- Salt is always in the water – it’s just now at levels high enough that some people may notice it more.
- WSSC Water’s water is safe.
- While this is NOT a public health issue for most customers, increased salt levels in the water can be a health concern for people on sodium-restrictive diets. They also pose challenges for facilities such as dialysis centers.
- Levels of salt in your water can be found in our Annual Water Quality Report (https://www.wsscwater.com/wqr). If you are concerned about potential health effects of salt in drinking water, we encourage you to contact your doctor or health care professional.
- WSSC Water monitors the water quality in the Potomac and Patuxent Rivers, the source water for WSSC Water’s 1.9 million customers.
- Salt levels in the Potomac and Patuxent Rivers have more than doubled in the past 30 years, due to increasing application of road salt during the winter.
- The salt put on the ground ends up in our drinking water sources.
- Once in the source water, salt cannot be removed during the treatment process without making sweeping and expensive changes to water filtration plants.
- Salt is corrosive and will slowly wear away our water mains – leading to water main breaks and discolored water issues for our customers.
- Aquatic animals and plants are also harmed by increased salt levels in the creeks, streams and rivers.
- Always be salt wise.
- If you have questions about drinking water quality, please call WSSC Water’s Emergency Call Center: at 301-206-4002 or waterqualityinquiry@wsscwater.com
Last Modified: January 25, 2024, 4:17 pm EST