Water Main Breaks: One of the Worst Seasons for WSSC

If you were one of the more than 17,000 callers regarding water issues during our extremely cold February 2015, … well, obviously you weren’t alone.

WSSC pointed to its aging infrastructure and a bitter cold season (that isn’t quite done with us yet). “WSSC greatly appreciates the patience of our customers and the dedication of our crews, from the field to the call center who all worked together to get everyone through a brutal month,” the utility said in a statement.

The numbers:

• 426 broken water mains were repaired by technicians during the month of February, second only to 479 in Feb. 2007 record for broken mains. On average Februarys tend tok see 132 water main breaks.
• 17,085 calls during February 2015 to WSSC’s Emergency Call Center, primarily due to frozen pipes and meters. That’s compared to 7,781 in February 2014.

There is more winter weather in the forecast ahead. You can report breaks and leaks to WSSC’s 24/7 Emergency Call Center at 301-206-4002 or via email at emergencycallcenter@wsscwater.com.