Update Jan. 22: WSSC sent a response to the opinion piece below, in a letter published in our February edition and on our website, here.
I would like to applaud the independent report of engineering firm WSP regarding the WSSC’s 48-Inch Patuxent Raw Water Main Project – BF1582E91
The report, with its 19 scathing recommendations and its identification of four needed major system management improvements, is an indictment of WSSC’s processes, management, and governance.
These recommendations point to a lack of leadership and ineptness that requires replacement of current business practices and senior staff. All these issues point to a system that has little, if any, accountability to other governmental entities and to the public at large.
Recently, two water-main breaks occurred on Bond Mill Road starting on November 9, 2025. One was quickly addressed, while the repair of the other exposed many of the failings articulated in the report. This second leak exposed where the raw water main, which carries contaminated -non-potable water, runs over the potable water. If the non-potable water breaks,the community’s drinking supply could be contaminated.
As a result of these recent issues and after reading the report, I am personally demanding:
- A written apology to the community for the devastating and continuing impact upon the community
- A plan with a budget to institute all the report’s issues and recommendations and fix the colocation of potable and non-potable water lines.
- Have State legislators propose legislation to transfers WSSC governance from the counties to another entity because current governance by the counties is simply not working.
- The resignation of the current General Manager.
These kinds of practices have to stop. They are time consuming, costly and present a clear and present danger and risk to drinking water. Accountability comes from the top. Let’s start there.
Paul Gentile is a West Laurel resident concerned about the quality of the work done on the local water main. The report he refers to is available at tinyurl.com/mr62a4fy. The WSSC is holding a budget hearing Jan. 27, 7pm, at the WSSC Water Support Center Auditorium, 14501 Sweitzer Lane, Laurel.
The views expressed in this column belong to its author. The Laurel Independent reserves the right to edit “From Where I Stand” submissions for brevity and clarity.