Water cut off in D.C. suburb amid sweltering heat wave
OXON HILL, Md. Several southern Prince George's County communities -- including Joint Base Andrews and National Harbor -- are having to make do without tap water in the midst of an oppressive heat wave due to an emergency water main repair.
Up to 200,000 people were affected when water was cut off Tuesday night, reports CBS News correspondent Chip Reid. The outage is expected to last three to five days, as crews attempt to fix the 54-inch pipeline.
Communities were urged to stock up on water ahead of the repair.
The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission says mandatory water restrictions are in place to preserve firefighting capabilities.
With the restrictions, officials said, there was enough water to last 12 to 15 hours after water was shut off at about 9 p.m.
"Usage was high as people stockpiled and now we need to conserve," the utility said in a tweet just after 10 p.m., reports CBS Washington, D.C. affiliate WUSA-TV.
The WSSC is advising residents to use water "only when necessary such as short showers, turning off faucets after washing hands, limit flushing toilets, and postponing using washing machines and dishwashers," WUSA adds.
Affected communities also include Morningside, Hillcrest Heights, Camp Springs, Forest Heights, Temple Hills and Oxon Hill.