Residents of Montgomery County and Prince George’s County received an urgent advisory from WSSC Water on Tuesday morning after a power outage disrupted operations at the Potomac Water Filtration Plant. The plant, which supplies drinking water to roughly 75% of the utility’s customers, relies on a substantial amount of electricity to draw water from the Potomac River, treat it, and pump it back into the distribution system.

Essential‑use‑only warning

WSSC Water spokesperson Lyn Riggins told WTOP that the outage forced the agency to issue an “essential water use only” warning. The advisory applies to close to 1.9 million customers across the two counties. While water continues to flow through the system and remains safe for drinking and normal household use, the utility is asking customers to limit non‑essential consumption.

Why conservation matters now

Riggins explained that the immediate goal is to preserve the water already in the system for critical needs such as hand‑washing, tooth‑brushing, showering, and especially fire protection. “What we’re trying to do is preserve the water that is in the system, not only for people’s use that you think about all the time—washing your hands, brushing your teeth, taking showers—but also to ensure that there is fire protection,” she said.

By reducing overall demand, the utility hopes to avoid a boil‑water advisory, which would require additional treatment steps and could disrupt daily life for residents.

What households can do

• Limit shower time and consider turning off the tap while soaping up.
• Run dishwashers and washing machines only with full loads.
• Collect rainwater for outdoor watering, if possible.
• Avoid flushing toilets unnecessarily; use a bucket of water for flushing if needed.
• Report any leaks to WSSC Water promptly.

These simple steps can collectively make a significant difference while the plant works to restore full power.

What’s next?

WSSC Water officials are monitoring the situation closely and will provide updates as power is restored and the plant returns to normal operation. Residents are encouraged to stay tuned to local news outlets, including WTOP, for the latest information.

For additional guidance or to report a water‑related issue, customers can contact WSSC Water’s customer service line or visit the agency’s website.

Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.