Water conservation request lifted for some Maryland residents amid rise in breaks, leaks

BALTIMORE -- WSSC Water lifted a water conservation request Monday evening for 1.9 million customers after an increase in water main breaks caused by frigid temperatures in Prince George's and Montgomery counties.

The company said the "water distribution system demand and pressure have stabilized, and water storage levels have returned to normal."

According to the company, there was no boil water advisory in place and water was safe during the conservation request.

WSSC Water reported 220 water main breaks or leaks between January 1 and January 13, but 184 of those were within the past six days. The company said on Sunday a 24-inch water main break and a 12-inch main break that had not been identified threatened system storage reserves.    

On Sunday night, customers were urged to preserve water by taking the following steps:

• Use water only as necessary; take shorter showers and turn off faucets immediately after use
• Limit flushing toilets; do not flush after every use
• Limit using washing machines and dishwashers

The company called on additional crews and contractors to search for unreported breaks.

WSSC Water customers are urged to call the company's Emergency Services Center at 301-206-4002 to report any running water or chlorine odors.

Baltimore Water Main Breaks

On Sunday, Jan. 12, Baltimore City Councilmember Odette Ramos reported a water main break in North Baltimore on Linkwood Road that left an apartment complex without water.

In a social media post, Ramos said water was being delivered to the 271-unit Hopkins House Apartments Sunday evening as the repair may take a long time.

"It was OK because I have a lot of drinking water in my apartment," resident Shuo La said. "The only thing, if any, is that I needed to flush my toilet and there was no water there." 

The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) responded to 33 water main breaks across the city and county as of Monday evening, a spokesperson said. 

According to DPW, the response level is consistent with the freeze-and-thaw cycle triggered by Maryland's recent snowstorm and cold weather. Water main breaks are more common during extended periods of cold weather, though other factors like corrosion, soil conditions and the age of the pipes, can also contribute. 

"In the winter, we do get a lot more water main breaks and that's because, obviously, with pipes freezing and then it thaws out a little bit, like yesterday, Sunday, we had 40-degree weather, so the pipes expanded," Ramos said.

DPW is continuing to replace aging water infrastructure through a 15-mile water replacement program, a spokesperson said. The effort should help to minimize breaks and leaks.

When dealing with water main breaks, DPW suggests residents take the following steps: 

• Prompt Reporting: Residents should immediately report any suspected water main break by calling 311 in Baltimore City or 443-263-2220 in Baltimore County.
• Follow-Up Actions: Once service is restored, let water run through a faucet until it is clear.
• Property Owner Responsibilities: DPW maintains outdoor water lines up to and including the meter. The property owner is responsible for water lines running from the meter to the house and internal plumbing.

Pipe burst closes Carroll Health Department

The Carroll County Health Department will be closed through Wednesday, January 15, after a pipe burst in the building on South Center Street in Westminster.

The Health Department will provide an update about the building and services on Wednesday afternoon. 

People can also get updates from the Health Department's website at health.maryland.gov/carroll and their Facebook and Instagram accounts for updates, or call the information line at 410-876-3003.  

Freezing temperatures in Maryland

Maryland experienced freezing temperatures last week, along with a snowstorm that brought between 3 to 12 inches of snow to the region. Baltimore City saw about four inches of snow, while parts of the county saw between 3.5 to 7.5 inches, totals show.

Freezing temperatures caused dangerous conditions in the days following the heavy snowfall, and icy roads prompted school closures and delays across the state between Monday, Jan. 6, and Friday, Jan. 10.

Baltimore City issued a Code Blue Extreme Cold Alert through Saturday, Jan. 11 as wind chills dipped into the single digits for several days.

On Monday, temperatures in the Baltimore region ticked back up, though Arctic air is forecasted to return to the state by the middle of the week.