WSSC Water’s focus is now shifting from the immediate response to fully restoring the Potomac Water Filtration Plant to normal operations after the essential-water-use-only request was lifted for all 1.9 million customers in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.
The request was lifted at 5pm after WSSC Water said the immediate situation had stabilized, with water production restored and storage levels replenished. There remains no boil water advisory, and drinking water remains safe to use.
WSSC Water operators, electricians, engineers with high-voltage electrical expertise, contractors and Pepco will continue working until the electrical systems inside the plant are fully restored.
“We are grateful to our customers for their extraordinary conservation efforts and to our state, county and local officials for their partnership and support throughout this incident,” WSSC Water General Manager and CEO Kishia L. Powell said.
Powell said WSSC Water will continue examining the plant’s electrical systems, take corrective actions and use information gathered during the incident to further strengthen the facility’s resilience through planned projects.
The Potomac Water Filtration Plant draws water directly from the Potomac River and is the larger of WSSC Water’s two filtration plants, providing drinking water to approximately 70% to 75% of its customers.
WSSC Water said customers, elected officials and other stakeholders will continue to receive updates as crews investigate the electrical issue and implement corrective measures. If customers need to take any additional action, WSSC Water said that information will be communicated promptly.
