Update on Water Main Break Repairs

Breaks on 90-Year-old Pipes Highlight Aging Infrastructure

Laurel – August 12, 2015: Repairs on two 90-year-old pipes that broke this morning highlight the issue of aging infrastructure in WSSC’s system. The first break, located on East-West Highway at Route 1 in Prince George’s County, has ongoing repairs. The second break, at Flower Avenue and Piney Branch Road in Montgomery County, has been repaired.

·         Flower Avenue & Piney Branch Road: Repairs are complete on the 12-inch pipe and customers have water service. Flower Avenue remains closed between Piney Branch Road and Arliss Street while Washington Gas completes a repair, then road repairs will begin. Several businesses experienced flooding and WSSC Claims representatives were onsite to walk customers through the claims process.

·         East-West Highway: Repairs continue on a 10-inch water main that broke early this morning closing the westbound lanes. The lanes will remain closed through evening rush hours; two lanes get by in the opposite direction. The road damage extended 25 feet beyond the break site illustrating the force of rushing water.

WSSC is currently replacing more than 55 miles of water mains per year. Approximately 37 percent of the system pipes are over 50 years old.

Follow us @WSSCWaterNews for updates on the water main repair and lane closures.

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