Aging Infrastructure FAQs

In general, it’s a combination of the pipe’s deteriorating structural condition, water, air, ground temperature fluctuations and/or soil conditions. Out of the more than 5,888 miles of water mains we maintain more than 40 percent are over 50 years old. The older pipes are either cast iron or asbestos cement and have reached their natural lifespan. Corrosion of the internally unlined pipes by the soil and by water drives the aging process.

Ductile pipe has been installed since 1977. Ductile pipe installed after 2000 with polyethylene encasement has a lifespan of up to 100 years. In 2017, we began installing zinc-coated ductile iron pipe, which is expected to increase longevity well beyond 100 years.

We consider maintenance history, pipe material, unlined pipe interior, soil conditions and the year the pipe was manufactured. Being old is not necessarily a prime criterion as some pipes have poorer maintenance records than others).

The small diameter (16 inches and smaller) water mains are not physically inspected. However, every time a pipe breaks or leaks and is repaired we have an opportunity to see the condition of the pipes in the trench. Severely deteriorating conditions are reported to our engineers for further investigation. We continuously review and analyze “events” that occur along the pipelines. Examples of these events are breaks, leaks and discolored water occurrences. We combine the frequency of these events with the pipe’s age, material and diameter  to determine if the pipe should be replaced. We are in the process of developing a plan to inspect the large-diameter mains.

Circle breaks and split breaks. A circle break occurs around the circumference of the pipe because of the presence of cracks in the pipe wall. The cracks develop under corrosion or are present in the pipe wall because of defects originating from the manufacturing process. A change in water temperature can enlarge a crack and cause a circular break failure. With split breaks, corrosion/deterioration on the outside of the pipe advances and the pipe could begin to split. The larger diameter pipes are thicker and tend to break by splits first.

WSSC Water services around 1,800 water main breaks and leaks every year. We average 1,200 breaks in the winter months (Nov-February), due to cold water shocking the pipes during low temperature weather conditions.

Aging pipes are a nationwide problem. It costs approximated $1.4 million to replace a mile of pipe. We must weigh our need to replace water mains with the burden it places on the ratepayer. Beginning in 2008, we dramatically increased replacement from about 16 miles of pipe per year to more than 50. This trend continued until 2018 when the number dropped to around 22 miles per year.

A 24/7 rapid response center handles emergency calls and quickly dispatches crews. Crews that work to replace water mains and replace and line sewer pipes in warmer months are diverted to repair breaks during the winter months. More than 200 personnel are trained to quickly respond to and repair water main breaks; teams are strategically placed in both counties to respond to weekend and overnight emergencies. For water or sewer emergencies, call (301) 206-4002. WSSC Water also has a pool of emergency contractors who can quickly mobilize for larger jobs

Although there may be some discoloration, the water is safe for drinking.

On average, approximately six hours. It depends on the type of break and where it occurs.

A WSSC Water customer claim representative can be reach at this number -  (301) 206-7095. If you are experiencing a water or sewer emergency, call our 24-hour emergency line at (301) 206-4002.

Yes, someone from our claims service team will be out to inspect the property.

If a large number of customers are going to be out of water for an extended period of time, our crews set up a water station and communicate the location to affected customers. One-gallon jugs of water are distributed for as long as the outage continues.