WSSC Water again crews worked overnight to excavate a collapsed 30-inch sewer main at 19111 Liberty Mill Road in Germantown while maintaining a large-scale bypass system to protect nearby communities and the environment.
The incident began Thursday, March 19, when the collapse was first reported at 6:31 am. The bypass, activated at 11:10 pm, uses approximately 1,000 feet of 18-inch piping and high-capacity pumps to safely divert wastewater around the damaged pipe. With the system now fully operational, Germantown Elementary School is expected to reopen Monday. Officials emphasized that drinking water service has not been impacted.
Crews will continue working around the clock to remove the damaged section and install about 110 feet of new 30-inch pipe between two manholes. Liberty Mill Road remains closed between Dawson Farm Road and Pepper Court as repairs continue. WSSC Water is also urging residents not to flush wipes or pour grease down drains, warning that such materials could disrupt the bypass system.
3/21 11:15 a.m. Update:
WSSC Water Crews Continue Around the Clock Repairs to Collapsed Sewer Main in Germantown
Overnight Excavation of Damaged Pipe Continues as Crews Maintain Large-Scale Uninterrupted Bypass Operations and Prepare to Install New Main
Keep Wipes Out of… pic.twitter.com/PtsJi3I8tb
— WSSC Water (@WSSCWaterNews) March 21, 2026
