LAUREL, Md. — Sanitation crews have finally put an end to a large-scale sewer overflow in Germantown that began Thursday morning.
The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) says 78,384 gallons of untreated wastewater overflowed from a manhole near 19110 Liberty Mill Rd. beginning at 9 a.m. Thursday until repair at 1:20 a.m. on Friday.
WSSC Water responded to the overflow shortly after the overflow began amid rainfall from Tropical Depression Debby. The agency says crews set up a temporary bypass pump to move the wastewater around the impacted sewer main while they worked to implement repairs. During the overflow, untreated wastewater entered a nearby storm drain that empties into Gunner’s Branch and flows into Seneca Creek. Residents were warned to avoid the area as untreated sewer water can pose a threat to human health. WSSC Water is now working to determine the cause of the overflow and implement a long-term repair on the impacted section of the 30-inch-diameter sewer main.
WSSC Water oversees more than 5,600 miles of sewer miles in the DMV area and asks Washingtonians to alert them in the event of a sewer overflow or a water main break. Residents of Prince George's County or Montgomery County can reach WSSC Water through its 24-hour Emergency Services Center at 301-206-4002.
Customers can also report emergencies via email at emergencycallcenter@wsscwater.com, or using the WSSC Water Mobile App.
