Laurel, Md. – The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC Water) announced Tuesday that all customers in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties should restrict water use to essential purposes until power is restored to the Potomac Water Filtration Plant.
Why the request matters
The Potomac plant supplies drinking water to roughly 75 % of WSSC’s customers. A sudden power outage has temporarily halted the plant’s ability to treat and deliver water at full capacity, prompting the utility to ask households and businesses to conserve water while crews work with Pepco to restore electricity.
What residents should do
WSSC advises customers to limit water use to necessities only. Suggested actions include taking shorter showers, turning off faucets promptly, and postponing lawn irrigation or any outdoor watering. Residents should also reduce toilet flushing when possible and keep washing‑machine and dishwasher cycles to a minimum.
“The water remains safe to drink and does not need to be boiled,” the commission emphasized, reassuring the public that quality has not been compromised despite the reduced supply.
How the utility is responding
WSSC officials said they are coordinating closely with Pepco to prioritize power restoration at the Potomac facility. In the meantime, the commission will monitor water pressure and quality, and will issue updates as the situation evolves.
Impact on the community
With 1.9 million customers affected, the conservation request touches a broad cross‑section of the region—from suburban families to local businesses. By reducing non‑essential water use, residents help ensure that essential services—drinking, cooking, and sanitation—remain uninterrupted for everyone.
Community leaders have echoed the utility’s message, urging neighbors to cooperate and reminding them that the request is temporary. “Our shared responsibility now will help keep the water system stable for all,” said a Montgomery County health official.
Looking ahead
The commission plans to lift the restriction once power is fully restored and the plant resumes normal operations. Until then, WSSC encourages customers to stay informed through its website and social‑media channels for real‑time updates.
Original reporting: Arlington County | FOX 5 DC — read the source article.
