Update: The Potomac Water Filtration Plant (WFP) is once again producing water following an electrical issue this morning that disrupted normal operations. While water production has resumed, WSSC Water continues to urge all 1.9 million customers in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties to use water for essential purposes only.
WSSC Water is warning that a boil water advisory could be issued later today for all 1.9 million customers in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties if crews are unable to restore operations at the Potomac Water Filtration Plant.
According to WSSC Water, crews have been working around the clock since early Tuesday morning to restore power at the Potomac Water Filtration Plant, which supplies drinking water to approximately 70% to 75% of WSSC Water customers.
Pepco has restored electrical service to the facility, but WSSC Water said an unknown electrical problem inside the plant is preventing systems from being brought back online to produce water.
If the issue is not resolved soon, WSSC Water said it will issue a boil water advisory later Tuesday afternoon or early evening for its entire service area, impacting approximately 1.9 million customers across Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.
In the meantime, WSSC Water is urging customers to use water only for essential purposes. Customers are being asked to take shorter showers, turn faucets off immediately after use, avoid all outdoor water use and lawn irrigation, limit toilet flushing and limit use of washing machines and dishwashers.
The Potomac Water Filtration Plant draws water directly from the Potomac River and normally produces between 100 million and 120 million gallons of drinking water per day. It is the larger of WSSC Water’s two filtration plants.
WSSC Water’s Patuxent Water Filtration Plant remains operational and is currently producing approximately 90 million to 95 million gallons per day. That alone is not enough to meet the system’s average customer demand of approximately 170 million gallons per day.
WSSC Water described the situation as rapidly evolving and said additional updates will be provided as crews continue working to restore the Potomac plant.
