Sanitary Sewer Overflow Contained In Rockville: UPDATE

ROCKVILLE, MD — Crews have contained an ongoing Sanitary Sewer Overflow in Rockville, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) announced Friday in a press release.

WSSC — the company that provides water for both Montgomery and Prince George's counties — said the overflowing sanitary sewer was discovered in a wooded area near 11604 Parkedge Drive shortly after 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Crews worked overnight to gain access to the source.

"The total volume of the overflow is estimated to be 19,020 gallons of untreated wastewater that flowed into Old Farm Creek," WSSC wrote, adding: "An extensive bypass operation has been established to pump wastewater around the section of 18-inch diameter sewer pipe that was overflowing, and will remain in place until crews can determine the cause and make necessary repairs."

It is unclear what caused the Sanitary Sewer Overflow.

In the press release, WSSC assured customers that the water and wastewater systems are separate — and that the overflow does not affect WSSC's drinking water.