WSSC issues advisory for essential water use to prevent possible boil advisory
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. (7News) — A water company in Montgomery County and Prince George’s County is asking customers to only use water for essential purposes.
The request is being issued because of a predicted increase in water main breaks and leaks from the cold weather, according to WSSC Water officials. This request affects 1.9 million customers.
The water is safe, and there’s no need to boil water, according to WSSC.
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There are 33 breaks or leaks that WSSC knows about, but there are likely more that have not been identified, officials said.
The severe weather may cause longer-than-normal repair times, and customers may have water outages or lower pressure for extended periods, according to WSSC.
By only using water for essential purposes, it could help avoid a boil water advisory and help preserve water for system storage and fire protection, according to WSSC.
All customers are being asked to:
- Use water only as necessary, like taking shorter showers and turning off faucets from running at full force
- Limit flushing toilets by not flushing after every use
- Limit using washing machines and dishwashers
WSSC Water said customers should still leave a faucet running on a trickle when they are home to keep water moving through the pipes. Customers can also leave cabinet doors open to warm pipes, officials said.
If you notice any water surfacing or flowing down streets, you can report it to WSSC Water by calling 301-206-4002, emailing emergencycallcenter@wsscwater.com, or using the WSSC Water app.
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Water demand increased sharply over the last day, beyond what is typically seen this time of year. System data shows that there are unreported water main breaks within WSSC Water’s distribution system that stretches over 1,000-square-miles, according to the company.
Heavy snowfall and extreme winter conditions are significantly limiting crews’ ability to see breaks, making customer reports essential to prevent pressure loss in the system, WSSC officials said.
WSSC Water called in more maintenance crews and emergency contractors to search for unreported leaks.