WASHINGTON — Almost like a cycle, with winter and cold temps comes an increase in water main breaks and leaks. In fact, in two Maryland counties there have been more than 160 in less than two weeks.
WSSC Water, which services Montgomery and Prince George's counties, said the Potomac River's temperature is like a crystal ball when it comes to predicting a spike in the breaks. Within the last 12 days, the river's temperature dropped around 13 to 33 degrees. Within that time, WSSC Water experienced 166 water main breaks and leaks, with 104 since Saturday.
Water main breaks tend to increase a few days after the river temperature drops because the colder water takes time to travel through the around 5,900 miles of water distribution mains. In addition, the aging infrastructure is a critical factor as older pipes can be "shocked" by the colder water. Around 40% of the water mains in their system are more than 50 years old.
In 2023, the governments of Montgomery and Prince George's counties, which oversee WSSC Water, approved a 7% rate hike which is less than the utility had asked for.
According to WSSC Water, over the past six years approved rate increases were 8.2% lower than requested, resulting in a $55 million shortfall in revenue the utility says it badly needs.
Nationally, federal infrastructure funding is also falling short despite a portion of the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, according to advocates for the water utility industry.
Typically, during the year, WSSC Water repairs more than 1,800 water main breaks and leaks, about 65% of which happens between November and February.
“WSSC Water crews are prepared and ready to handle the increase in water main breaks and leaks we experience when the Potomac River temperatures drop,” WSSC Water General Manager and CEO Kishia L. Powell said. “We appreciate customers’ patience as our crews work long days and nights to restore service under very difficult weather conditions. Our aggressive asset management strategy targets communities with older mains that experience numerous breaks. We will continue to work with our federal, state and local partners to secure necessary funding to invest in our critical infrastructure.”
WSSC Water Water Main Break/Leaks Statistics:
- Nov. 1, 2023 – Jan. 22, 2024: 719 water main breaks/leaks
- Jan. 1- 22, 2024: 234 water main breaks/leaks
- Jan. 20 – 22. 2024: 82 water main breaks/leaks
Among the recent water main breaks, there has been a few significant ones across the area within the last few days.
- A water main broke Monday on King Arthur Road in Annandale which forced the closure of nearby roads.
- A Kensington, Maryland road collapsed on Saturday due to a water main break. It caused damage to Knowles Avenue.
- DC Water announced a boil advisory for parts of Northwest and Northeast D.C. on Friday after there was a loss of water pressure. The advisory was lifted Sunday morning.
- According to WSSC Water, a broken 10-inch diameter sewer main located on Southern Avenue Southeast is the cause of the flooding that filled 12 D.C. homes with waste water on Tuesday.
If you need to report a break to WSSC, here's how:
- Call WSSC Water’s 24/7 Emergency Services Center at 301-206-4002.
- Email WSSC Water’s Emergency Center at emergencycallcenter@wsscwater.com.
- Use WSSC Water’s Mobile App by using the "Report a Problem" feature.
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