WSSC Water Issues Essential-Use Advisory for 1.9 Million Customers Following Potomac Plant Power Failure
WSSC Water issued an urgent call for 1.9 million customers in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties to restrict water consumption to essential purposes only. A power outage at the Potomac Water Filtration Plant disrupted operations at the utility’s largest facility, which supplies drinking water to roughly 75% of the utility’s customer base.
Current Drinking Water Safety and Boil Advisory Status
Utility officials confirmed the water remains safe to drink and that no boil water advisory is currently in effect. WSSC issued the essential-water-use-only warning preemptively to conserve treated supplies and prevent the need for a mandatory Boil Water Advisory across the two counties.
Water Conservation Guidelines for Maryland Residents
WSSC asked customers to immediately reduce indoor and outdoor water consumption to preserve remaining treated reserves. The utility outlined specific conservation steps:
- Take shorter showers and shut off faucets immediately after use.
- Eliminate all outdoor water use, including lawn irrigation systems.
- Limit flushing toilets, avoiding a flush after every single use.
- Reduce the frequency of running washing machines and dishwashers.
Production Capacity and Repair Operations at the Potomac Plant
WSSC repair crews are coordinating with Pepco to restore electricity to the Potomac plant as quickly as possible. The facility draws raw water directly from the Potomac River, producing between 100 and 120 million gallons of drinking water daily. WSSC’s secondary plant remains operational, generating 90 to 95 million gallons per day against an average regional demand of approximately 170 million gallons per day.
Frequently Asked Questions About the WSSC Water Restriction
Is it safe to drink tap water right now in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties?
Yes. WSSC Water states that the drinking water is safe and does not need to be boiled before use.
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Why was the water restriction issued?
A power outage at the Potomac Water Filtration Plant cut production capacity at WSSC’s largest facility, prompting the utility to ask for conservation to avoid a future Boil Water Advisory.
Which areas are affected by the WSSC advisory?
All 1.9 million WSSC Water customers across Montgomery County and Prince George’s County are included in the essential-use warning.
How long will the water conservation notice last?
WSSC has not specified an end time, noting that restrictions will remain in place until power is fully restored to the Potomac plant and normal operations resume.