Nearly two million residents in the Maryland counties of Montgomery and Prince George's are being advised to conserve water amid a series of water main breaks exacerbated by the current cold snap. WSSC Water, the utility company responsible, has experienced a "significant increase" in breaks and leaks, responding to 52 as of last night, according to reports from FOX 5 DC and DC News Now.
Residents have been asked to take measures such as taking shorter showers, turning off taps promptly after use, and only flushing toilets when necessary; moreover, there's been advisement to limit the use of appliances that require large volumes of water, like washing machines and dishwashers, water is still safe to use without boiling. However, conservation efforts could prevent the need for a Boil Water Advisory, as Lynn Riggins, WSSC spokeswoman, said, as per FOX 5 DC.
Additional crews and contractors have been summoned to address the emergent infrastructure issues, seeking out unreported breaks and leaks for repair, albeit customers may experience delays, water outages, or diminished pressure as the system is stabilized, a reality exacerbated by the area’s many water mains approaching or surpassing the half-century mark. This preemptive step, including shutting down broken mains before crews arrive, is part of efforts to maintain system pressure and avert further service interruptions, as was detailed in an update provided by WSSC Water spokesperson Luis Maya during a DC News Now interview.
WSSC Water has resolved one of the breaks on Damascus Road, and service has resumed. Yet, the work in Riverdale proceeds, with Maya, indicating that the Auburn Manor Apartments' residents directly feel the impact of the ongoing repairs, according to an update he provided WJLA. Residents noticing running water or smelling chlorine – a sign of disinfection processes at work – are urged to report these observations through the WSSC Water Emergency Services Center or via the mobile app, ensuring an agile response to these communal infrastructural upheavals.
