Roughly 1.9 million residents in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties are being urged to limit water use to essential purposes after WSSC issued an alert Tuesday morning due to an increase in water main breaks and leaks following Winter Storm Fern, which brought snow, sleet, rain and frigid temperatures to the region.

“The urgent essential-water-use-only request is being issued due to the predicted increase in the number of water main breaks and leaks brought on by the frigid temperatures, including break locations that have not yet been identified. At this time, WSSC Water is aware of 33 breaks and leaks,” the utility company said in a statement.

“The water system remains perfectly safe to use — you can drink it, cook with it, and use it for sanitation — but we are asking people to conserve,” Dave McDonough, deputy general manager of mission support for WSSC, told an audience of 700 during a special storm update meeting late Tuesday afternoon on Zoom. “Demand in the system is going up because we’re experiencing water main breaks related to the cold weather, and because snow and ice make it harder for us to locate and repair those breaks quickly.”

WSSC said preserving water could help the utility avoid issuing a boil water advisory while maintaining system storage and fire protection as crews work to address the breaks and leaks.

WSSC is urging customers to:

  • Leave a faucet running at a trickle while at home to keep water moving through pipes, which will have minimal impact on overall water demand.
  • Use water only as necessary, including taking shorter showers and turning off faucets promptly instead of allowing them to run at full force.
  • Limit flushing toilets and avoid flushing after every use.
  • Limit use of washing machines and dishwashers.

Residents are also encouraged to immediately report water pooling, surfacing or flowing along roadways and sidewalks to help crews quickly identify and repair hidden breaks.

To report issues, residents can call 301-206-4002, email emergencycallcenter@wsscwater.com, or use the WSSC Water mobile app’s “Report a Problem” feature.