Water Security

What is water security?

Hand-in-hand with the steps we take to ensure the quality and safety of your drinking water, WSSC Water is actively engaged in guarding the physical security of our water supply and distribution system. To keep the system safe from sabotage and attack, our police force is on guard 24 hours a day. We use a wide range of methods and practices to guard the 1,000 square miles of waterways and land that make up WSSC Water's district: high-tech surveillance, boats, all-terrain vehicles and traditional foot patrols.

Why does water security matter?

To maintain good health and livelihoods, communities depend on a reliable supply of safe, clean drinking water. That means keeping constant watch over our water sources, facilities, and distribution system. To do that, WSSC Water employs its own police department, which was created after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, by expanding the security division that existed at the time.

How WSSC Water ensures your water supply is safe and secure

Rest assured, WSSC Water takes all appropriate steps to safeguard your water. Our police officers are on alert 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We also coordinate closely with local and federal authorities and follow a wide range of practices to ensure the safety of our facilities, systems and water:

• Increased security presence at our facilities
• Around-the-clock monitoring of our distribution system
• State-of-the-art security technology for our computer and operations systems
• Extensive water quality testing of our water from source to tap

How you can help with water security

You can help, too. If you see what you believe is unusual behavior near any of our facilities, note as much information as is safely possible, including:

• the location
• number of people and their descriptions
• the unusual activity

Call 911 right away to report the information. Do not attempt to approach the subject(s).

WSSC Water relies on your help to prevent suspicious or illegal activity. Review these Frequently Asked Questions so you'll know how to report possible crimes to WSSC Water Police.

Read more about the WSSC Water Police.