WSSC Water Urges 1.9 Million Customers to Limit Water Use Amid Main Breaks

LAUREL, Md. — WSSC Water has issued an urgent request for 1.9 million customers in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties to limit water use to essential purposes only, effective immediately. The call comes as crews respond to 52 active water main breaks and leaks caused by recent frigid temperatures.

“Our system is losing a lot of water,” said Lyn Riggins, a WSSC Water spokesperson, in an interview with WTOP on Sunday. “We have crews all over both counties working around the clock.”

Since Jan. 1, WSSC Water has reported approximately 175 water main breaks and leaks, with 150 occurring in the last five days alone. The utility serves a 1,000-square-mile area, and the surge in breaks has strained repair efforts. Crews are shutting down broken or leaking mains to stabilize system pressures, which may result in extended repair times and temporary water outages or reduced pressure for customers.

Residents are advised to take shorter showers, delay laundry and dishwasher use, and limit toilet flushing. “The more water we can conserve and keep in our system right now, the better,” Riggins said.

Officials emphasized that the water remains safe to drink and there is no need for a boil water advisory at this time. However, conservation efforts are critical to prevent such measures and ensure adequate water pressure for fire protection. “If there is a house fire down the street, we want to ensure that there is enough water and pressure when the fire department comes and hooks up to that hydrant,” Riggins explained.

Customers are urged to report running water or the smell of chlorine, which is used to disinfect drinking water, by contacting WSSC Water’s Emergency Services Center at (301) 206-4002 or using the online “Report a Problem” feature.

WSSC Water officials said they are monitoring the situation closely and will provide updates as repairs progress. The utility has not specified how long the conservation request will remain in effect but stressed that customer cooperation is essential to restoring normal operations.