General

• How do I start / stop service?
• My service has been suspended. How do I start it?
• What is WSSC doing to safeguard the water supply?
• How do I check my toilets and plumbing for leaks?
• How much water does a household use on average?
• If I have no water in my home, what do I do?
• If I believe my water meter is not accurate, how do I get the meter tested?
• Does WSSC take care of potholes?
• Are storm drains connected to the sanitary sewer?
• Who is responsible for the storm drains?
• What are the round metal covers I see in the streets?
• Whom do I contact about a broken, loose or missing cover? 

Billing

• When will I receive my bills?
• What options are available for paying my bills?
• How do you determine how much water and sewer service I've used and how much to charge me?
• Why did I receive an estimated bill?
• How can I give you my meter reading without speaking to an agent?
• I just moved into / out of a house or apartment. What do I have to do?
• What is the Account Maintenance Fee?
• I water my garden and lawn in the summer. How will this affect my bills and what are my options?
• What if my bill is really high, but I haven't watered outside?
• What if I can't afford to pay my bill all at once?
• What do I do if I have a billing problem?
• What is the Dispute Resolving Board?
• What are refund hearings?
• How can I automatically access my account information?
• Is there a fee for dishonored checks, unsatisfied electronic debits, and credit chargebacks?
• If I believe my water meter is not accurate, how do I get the meter tested? 

Water

• Why is the water discolored and is it safe to drink?
• How do I get a water analysis?
• Can I turn the water off at my house? How?
• I think there is an underground or service leak. What should I do?
• I have low pressure or high pressure in my home. What should I do?
• What is Cleaning and Lining? Why is it being done in my neighborhood?
• I see water surfacing outside (street or shoulder of the road). Who should I call?
• What is a water lateral (service) and for what portion am I responsible?

Sewer

• My basement is backed up with sewage. Whom should I call and what should I do?
• What is a water lateral (service) and for what portion am I responsible?
• Who should I call about the sewer odor?
• What causes sewer clogs / backups?
• What can I do to help prevent sanitary sewer backups?
• What are manholes? Where are they located?
• What is a cleanout? Where is it located? 

Additional FAQs

• Grinder Pump FAQs 
• Meters FAQs
• Paving and Landscape Restoration FAQs

   

  

GENERAL

How do I start / stop service?

BILLING & CLAIMS

When will I receive my bill?

Residential and some commercial customers using less than 5,000 gallons a day can expect to receive a bill from WSSC approximately every three months. Our commercial customers with an Average Daily Consumption (ADC) of 5,000 gallons or more per day receive a bill approximately every 30 days.

Depending on the date you moved into the property as well as our meter reading schedule, your first bill may contain charges for only a portion of the initial three-month period you occupied the premises. Then bills will be mailed quarterly.

Pipeline is an informational publication included with each bill that provides public hearing dates, conservation techniques, policies for adjusting accounts, and other topics of interest.

What options are available for paying my bills?

In Person/Mail

Bills can be paid by mail or in person from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at our  "One-Stop Shop" on the lobby level of the Richard Hocevar Building at 14501 Sweitzer Lane, near the intersection of I-95 and MD 198. After 5 p.m. on weekdays, weekends, or holidays, our “night deposit” is available for after hours payments. The box is located outside the Richard Hocevar Building next to the “drive-up” window.
         
Our mailing address is:

Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission
Attn: Revenue
14501 Sweitzer Lane
Laurel, MD 20707

EZ Pay/Direct Debit

"E-Z Pay" is a paperless, stress free, simple, safe, and speedy way to pay your water/sewer bill automatically from your bank account. This option requires that both the customer and the customer's bank be notified of the billed charges. The bank automatically pays the charges for the customer with the customer's authorization.

Click here for details!

On-line Payment Through Your Bank

If you are a Citibank customer, you can pay your WSSC charges on-line at www.citibank.com.
For non-Citibank customers, check with your bank or use your internet based bill payment provider to ensure WSSC is listed in their "Merchant Directory." If WSSC is in your bank's Directory, you can pay for services on-line through your bank. If WSSC is not listed, please contact your bank directly to inquire about an on-line payment option for WSSC bills.

On-line Credit Card Payment

WSSC accepts Visa, MasterCard and Discover credit card payments through a third party provider. Credit card payments can be initiated on the Internet at www.wsscwater.com by clicking on Bill Payments or by contacting our Customer Care agents at (301) 206-4001 or toll free 1-800-634-8400. There is an alternative payment method charge for making a payment by credit card. WSSC does not store your credit card information.

Western Union/Quick Collect

Customers can pay their WSSC bills by bringing CASH payments to a Western Union office of their choice. The payment will be posted to the WSSC account within one hour of Western Union receiving it, if paid before 4:30 p.m. Payments received after 4:30 p.m. may not be posted to your account until the next business day. There is a fee associated with using Western Union/Quick Collect to pay your water bill.

You will need to bring your payment and WSSC account number to one of the Western Union offices located throughout Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties. For a fee, you’ll have guaranteed, same-day crediting of your payment via “Quick Collect.” CASH transactions cost $12.95.

How to Use the Quick Collect payment option:

1. Customer Care agents can provide a convenient Western Union location near you if you are making a CASH payment, or you can call Western Union at 1-800-325-6000 to find the nearest location.
2. With your CASH payment, go to the Western Union office nearest you. You must have your WSSC account number to use Western Union's services to pay WSSC charges.
3. Complete the BLUE and WHITE form at the Western Union office. Use the CITY CODE - "WSSC" and the State "MD." Include your WSSC account number in the appropriate place.
4. Please verify that WSSC has received the "Quick Collect" payment by calling our Customer Care agents at (301) 206-4001 or 1-800-634-8400. If your service has been disconnected, you can also schedule your reconnection during this phone conversation. WSSC must receive a written "release of liability" prior to the reconnection of service. If your payment is posted to your account, the release of liability is received by WSSC, and the service reconnection is scheduled prior to 5 p.m., WSSC will do everything possible to reinstate services the same day.

Banks

As a free service, some banks allow you to pay your water/sewer bill at some of their local branches. Please check the link for a list of these banks. You will need to contact the individual branch directly to see if they accept WSSC bill payments.

Installments

Payment arrangements can ONLY be made on the current bill. All past due bills must be paid in full before an installment plan can be initiated. A payment arrangement allows you to make weekly, biweekly, or monthly payments and ensures that the service remains uninterrupted. A 5% late fee is assessed to the balance remaining on the account after the due date printed on your bill. Please call our Customer Care agents if you want to make arrangements to pay your current bill in installments.

If you have questions about payment options, our Customer Care agents can assist you by calling (301) 206-4001 or 1-800-634-8400, from 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.   For quicker response, it is better to call us Wednesday through Friday.

How do you determine how much water and sewer service I've used and how much to charge me?

Your bills are based on the amount of water that passed through your meter since the last billing period. Sewer is not metered; instead, we base the amount charged for sewer on the amount of water delivered to your home. WSSC’s rate structure is designed to encourage and reward water conservation. The rate is based on a sliding scale per 1,000 gallons of water used. Customers who use more water are charged at higher rates, and those who use less water are charged at lower rates. WSSC is by no means alone in having a conservation-based rate structure. In fact, about half of the water and sewer utilities in the Northeastern United States now use a rate structure that promotes conservation. Our rate structure, which was implemented on January 1, 1978, was largely the result of the recommendations of a citizen’s task force.

The water/sewer rate on your bill depends upon the amount of water you use and what we call your Average Daily Consumption or ADC. To calculate your ADC, divide the total gallons used by the number of days in the billing period. According to studies, an individual in our service area typically uses about 70 gallons of water every day. If the amount of water you've used in a quarter varies dramatically from how much you used last year during the same season, we'll alert you in the message portion of your bill by including an ADC comparison between the current and past year's usage.     Household Water Usage Chart

You'll also notice that we charge more for sewer because wastewater treatment is more expensive and complicated than water filtration. Each bill also includes an item labeled Account Maintenance Fee.
During our budget-approval process, Montgomery and Prince George’s County councils approve the rates. Public hearings on our proposed budgets are held each year before February 15, and any changes take effect on July 1. If you want more information about the hearing process or the public hearing schedule and locations, please contact the Public Communications Office at (301) 206–8100.

Why did I receive an estimated bill?

An estimated bill is automatically generated by our computerized billing system when circumstances such as: inclement weather; inaccessible or obstructed equipment, locked gates, or no one at home (to name a few reasons) prohibit our field employees from obtaining an actual meter reading. We also estimate usage when there are questionable changes in current consumption compared to historical usage.

A residential customer's usage is estimated based on the household’s previous usage for the comparable period. When there is a new owner/occupant at the property, the estimated bill is based on a preset Average Daily Consumption (ADC) of 245.

Commercial customers' bills are estimated based on the previous occupants' Average Daily Consumption (ADC).

If we are unable to obtain an actual meter reading, the field service representative will leave a card at the property requesting that you supply us with an actual reading from the inside meter and visual remote reader (located on an outside wall of the property) as soon as possible. Both the inside meter and visual remote readings contain 7-digits and should be read left to right, including any stationary zeros painted on the face of the registration unit. (Customers cannot read electronic remotes.)

If you prefer, you can provide a reading to WSSC by using your touch-tone telephone keypad to enter the reading/reading date in our Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

How can I give you my meter reading without speaking to an agent?

If you read your inside water meter, please call (301) 206-4001 or 1-800-634-8400 to access our IVRS (Interactive Voice Response System) to enter your 7-digit meter reading. You must have your account number available to enter the information in the system. IVRS is a computerized system that gives you vital information about WSSC and your account 24 hours a day. You can:

• Check Bill and Payment Information (Press 2) **
• Request a Seven-Day Payment Extension (Press 3) **
• Enter a Meter Reading (Press 4) **
• Obtain Directions and Office Hours (Press 5)
• Obtain Final Bill Options (Press 6)
• Repeat the Menu Options (Press 8)

** To use options 2-4, you will need your WSSC account number.

** You can access the IVRS, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by using a touch-tone telephone.

** If you cannot locate the metering equipment or provide WSSC a reading, please call us to schedule an appointment for WSSC personnel to read your meter.

I just moved into / out of a house or apartment. What do I have to do?

Please contact WSSC at (301) 206-4001 or 1-800-634-8400 with the following information:

1. The name and address of the settlement attorney / title company or the person receiving the final bill and the name of the new owner or occupant.
2. The settlement date or the date you move in or out of the property, we will need the inside 7-digit meter reading. Some properties are equipped with visual remote readers that are affixed to the outside structure of the building. Customers cannot read electronic remote devices.
3. We will also need a 7-digit reading from the visual remote to ensure that the meter equipment is functioning properly. Both devices should be read left to right including any stationary zeros painted on the face of the registration unit.
4. If your property is equipped with an outside meter, or you are unable to read your inside meter/remote reading device, please call us at (301) 206-4001 or 1-800-634-8400 in advance of your settlement or move-in date to schedule an appointment for WSSC personnel to read your equipment.

What is the Account Maintenance Fee?

WSSC is a non-profit, public utility whose rates are set to produce only the revenues needed to support services and operations. The quarterly Account Maintenance Fee  defrays the expenses associated with maintaining each account. These include the costs of purchasing meters; processing readings; generating, mailing, and collecting bills; and providing customer services. These expenses are similar for all customers no matter how much water they use.

A separately charged Account Maintenance Fee was the result of a study directed by the Prince George's and Montgomery County Councils in 1991. The study showed that customers who used extremely small amounts of water every quarter were paying nothing at all for account maintenance services. Since it was unfair for larger water users to subsidize services that were available to all customers, the fee was separated from the rate structure in 1992.

I water my garden and lawn in the summer. How will this affect my bills and what are my options?

If you water outside during the summer, be prepared for a higher than normal Average Daily Consumption (ADC) and bill charges. Since water used outside the home/business does not return to the public sewer system as wastewater, we can credit the sewer portion of your bill for this water if you have a sub-meter. A sub-meter separately records water used outside your home that does not return to the sewer system for processing. With a sub-meter, your sewer usage would be based on only the water used inside your home/business. Generally, WSSC sub-meter fees for residential customers fluctuate, but may be as low as $235. These fees are in addition to a licensed plumber's installation fee and possible Systems Development Charges (SDC). For more information on sub-meters, please call (301) 206-4003 or 1-800-634-8400.

Alternatively, WSSC leases fire hydrant meters on a temporary basis to individuals and businesses. Using a fire hydrant allows water to be drawn from the public water system when the water does not return to the public sewer system. There are no sewer charges associated with the water that registers on fire hydrant meters. Some examples of use are: filling swimming pools, landscaping, washing streets or filling tanker trucks. For more information about fire hydrant meters, please call (301) 206-4264 from 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 
 

What if my bill is really high, but I haven't watered outside?

A bill that is higher than expected, but not due to outside watering, may indicate leaking toilets or pipes. In fact, one leaking toilet can lose as many as three to five gallons each minute, often silently! The three most common toilet leaks are: flapper, siphon tube, and overflow leaks. Luckily, it is easy to test your toilets for leaks. Just put some colored liquid such as dark food coloring into the top of your toilet tank, wait at least 20 minutes, and then check the toilet bowl. If the color has seeped into the bowl, you have a toilet leak. In that case, using the turn off valve, you should turn off the toilet until it is repaired.

We also offer property inspections to help you determine whether a plumbing fixture is leaking. Click here for current inspection fee. To schedule an inspection, call (301) 206-4001 or 1-800-634-8400. However, WSSC DOES NOT REPAIR PLUMBING FIXTURES OR FIX LEAKS. There is also a "Missed Appointment Fee" that is billed to the account if we schedule an appointment and no one is at the property when WSSC field representatives arrive. Property inspections are a popular service and schedules fill quickly. If you strongly suspect a leak, we encourage you to contact a plumber. A delay in investigating the reasons for increased consumption at a property can result in a future high bill.

What if I can't afford to pay my bill all at once?

WSSC has several ways to assist you if you are unable to pay your entire current bill prior to the due date indicated on the face of the water/sewer bill.

Hold:

Using the IVRS, you can place a seven-day extension on the current bill from the date the request is entered into the IVRS system. The request for an extension of the bill's due date must be entered into IVRS PRIOR TO THE DISCONNECTION DATE.

Payment Arrangement:

If your current bill is unusually high, or if you are having difficulty paying a normal bill due to extenuating circumstances, payment arrangements can be initiated on the current bill. All past due bills must be paid in full before an installment plan can be implemented. This arrangement allows you to make weekly, biweekly, or monthly payments and ensures that the service remains uninterrupted. A 5% late fee is assessed to the unpaid balance remaining on the account after the due date printed on the bill. If you want to initiate a payment arrangement, please call us at (301) 206-4001 or 1-800-634-8400, weekdays, 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Your first payment must be posted to your account within seven days of the call. (Also see Payment Options).

What do I do if I have a billing problem?

Call us at (301) 206–4001 or 1-800-634-8400 between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. We will review the account thoroughly to determine whether the charges qualify for a reduction according to WSSC’s policies and guidelines. Under some circumstances, we can adjust a bill that is high due to a leak. If, after our review, you are unhappy with the result, you may appeal your case to the "Dispute Resolving Board" if the bill is unpaid. If you have paid the disputed charges, you can request a "refund hearing".
 

What is the Dispute Resolving Board?

Please refer to the Dispute Resolving Board page.

What are refund hearings?

Please refer to the Refund Hearings page.

How can I automatically access my account information?

The Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) is available 24-hours a day, every day of the year. When you call (301) 206–4001 or 1-800-634-8400 and have a touch-tone telephone, you can select to use IVRS. You can select from among the following choices by pressing the corresponding number on your phone:

• Check Bill and Payment Information (Press 2) **
• Request a Seven-Day Payment Extension (Press 3) **
• Enter a Meter Reading (Press 4) **
• Obtain Directions and Office Hours (Press 5)
• Obtain Final Bill Options (Press 6)
• Repeat the Menu Options (Press 8)

To use options 2-4, you will need your WSSC account number.

Checking Bill and Payment Information - This option provides you with your account balance, the bill due date, the last payment amount and the date received, any delinquent amount, and the period of your last bill. You can also have your last bill mailed to you, or a statement of charges faxed to you.

Requesting a Seven – Day Payment Extension - If you anticipate a problem paying a bill by the due date printed on the face of your bill, and you have a good payment record with WSSC, use this option to give yourself seven more days to pay your water/sewer bill.

Obtaining Driving Directions and Hours of Operation – please press option #4

You can repeat the menu options by pressing #8.

Entering a Meter Reading

Final Bill Instructions

If you prefer to speak to a Customer Care Agent during this process, 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., weekdays, please enter “0” followed by the # key. Your call will be automatically transferred to the next available agent.
 

Is there a fee for dishonored checks, unsatisfied electronic debits, and credit chargebacks?

Yes, click here for the current fee amount. WSSC will add this fee to your water/sewer account if a check is not honored, your bank does not satisfy an electronic debit, or a credit card payment is not properly authorized. Furthermore, "cash only" status will be assigned to the account for six months. During that period, all payments for services must be made by certified or bank check, credit or debit card, Western Union Quick Collect payment, or money order. Written notification that a payment has not been satisfied and that the account has been placed in "cash only" status will be mailed to the service address.

If I believe my water meter is not accurate, how do I get the meter tested?

Please refer to the Meter Testing page.

WATER

Why is the water discolored and is it safe to drink?

Discolored water is water containing an accumulation of iron and manganese sediment from rusting cast iron pipes and/or from a buildup of chemical deposits on the pipes. Water flowing at a steady, even pace in one direction will not disturb these deposits. If the water suddenly flows very fast or reverses direction, the sediment and deposits are stirred up, resulting in discoloration.

Causes of Discolored Water:

• A broken main may allow water to rush out of the pipe, temporarily increasing the flow and disturbing the sediment.
• Valves closed to isolate a broken water main or to make repairs may disturb the flow in nearby water mains causing a temporary increase or reversal of flow stirring up the sediment.
• Fully opening a fire hydrant for fire fighting purposes can cause a sudden increase in flow, which may temporarily cause discoloration.
• New water mains added to the system might cause a change in established flow patterns and cause temporary discoloration.

Health Concerns:

Discolored water due to sedimentation poses no health hazard. It is free from harmful bacteria and safe for all household uses, such as showering, cooking, flushing of toilets, etc. You can drink the discolored water, but it may taste different. WSSC does not recommend that you use discolored water to prepare baby formula.

Household uses for Discolored Water:

Discolored water can be used for showering, flushing toilets, cleaning floors, etc. However, you should NOT wash clothes in your washing machine during this time. Clothing may stain. If clothing does get stained, immediately wash the clothes again using a rust remover product, available in most supermarkets or requested free from the Commission by calling WSSC at (301) 206 - 4001 or 1 - 800-634 -8400, weekdays, 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. It is best if the clothes do not dry prior to using this type of product.

Particles in Water:

Particles that can be seen in the water are generally an accumulation of iron.

How do I get a water analysis?

You may contact a private laboratory for an individual analysis of your water. Laboratories are listed in the yellow pages. WSSC does not recommend specific laboratories. WSSC does not do individual analyses, except to isolate and/or identify a system problem. WSSC water is routinely tested at specific sites within the distribution system. We do have tap water analyses available for the Potomac and Patuxent Filtration Plants. We will be glad to send you a copy of the most recent tap water analysis report or you may view it online by clicking here.

If you feel there is a water quality problem, you may contact the Laboratory Services at (301) 206-7575 to discuss your concerns.

Can I turn off the water at my house? How?

You can turn the water off inside your home/building at the main valve. If you have an inside meter, check the valve near where the meter is located. If you have an outside meter, the main valve is usually located near the hot water heater or where the service enters your home/building.

Operation of Main (Shut Off) Valve:

To operate the main valve, turn clockwise to the right (until it stops) to close, and counterclockwise to the left (until it stops) to open.

If you need the water turned off from the outside, you should contact a plumber or WSSC. WSSC charges a fee to turn the water off. If you are having a registered plumber do work in your home and need the water off, the plumber can make the turn off and turn on request.

I think there is an underground or service leak. What should I do?

Please contact WSSC's emergency line at (301) 206 - 4002. We will investigate to determine the location of the leak (on or off property). The homeowner is responsible for the water service (lateral) from the house to the property line and all the pipes within the house. If the leak is the owner's responsibility, WSSC will confirm this in writing. We will also provide an informational brochure about underground leaks with several helpful suggestions. If the leak is in the WSSC portion of the service or on the main, we will notify the occupant/caller. We will make repairs and restore the affected area to its original condition. 
 

I have low pressure or high pressure in my home. What should I do?

Pressure is the force of water within the system. Other terms used in conjunction with pressure are static (not changing - pressure at the hydrant before flow) and residual (pressure left in a pipe system when high water flow rates are occurring). Water pressure is measured in pounds per square inch (PSI).

Low Pressure/Flow is generally described as not enough water in the system. If the problem is low flow, you should check with a plumber. The problem may be a restriction within the pipes or a problem with just one plumbing fixture. If the "low flow" problem is found throughout the building/home, please call WSSC and we will check the pressure at the closest fire hydrant and at your property. Someone will have to be available for us to access the property to check inside the home/business. Understandably, our crews will have to address system wide emergencies and other critical events prior to investigating low pressure concerns.

Low Pressure/Flow can be caused by:

• Pipes that are restricted and do not allow a proper flow of water. The system pressure can be satisfactory regardless of the restricted flow.
• The main valve or a valve at an individual fixture may be partially closed.
• A malfunctioning Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) inside the home may cause reduced pressure/flow.
• Screens on individual fixtures (filters or aerators) may be clogged. (Screens can be easily removed, rinsed and replaced.)

High Pressure is generally described as a stronger than normal flow of water from the spigots. If the pressure at your property is too high, resulting problems may be banging pipes, a tripped hot water relief valve or washers that wear out quickly.

A malfunctioning Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) can cause both high and low pressure problems. PRVs in the house are the homeowner's responsibility. You may wish to contact a plumber to perform an inspection.

What is Cleaning and Lining? Why is it being done in my neighborhood?

1. Fire flow tests.
2. Discolored water complaints and problems.
3. Street resurfacing projects - if the main is more than 30 years old.

1. Installing bypass lines (above ground) to provide temporary water service to customers during the rehabilitation process.
2. Accessing the pipeline through small excavations. An approximate 6' section of pipe is removed to provide access to the interior of the pipeline. (A new piece of lined pipe is installed when the main is put back in service.)
3. Removing the buildup of iron and manganese from the pipe by steel scraper blades drawn through the pipe.
4. Clearing the line with a squeegee that removes water and debris freed by the steel scrapers.
5. Mixing and pumping cement-mortar through a hose to the interior wall of the pipe.
6. Smoothing the surface of the finish by running a trowel assembly after the equipment that sprayed the lining material.
7. Cutting out or blowing out the service connections before the liner dries.
8. Chlorinating the main. Water samples are tested and the main is placed back in service.

I see water surfacing outside (street or shoulder of the road). Who should I call?

Contact WSSC's emergency line at (301) 206 - 4002. We will send someone to investigate. Please give the person answering the phone any additional specific detailed information regarding the location and nearest cross street to assist in locating the leak.

What is a water lateral (service) and for what portion am I responsible?

The contractor installing the water main generally installs the water service from the main to the property line. WSSC is responsible for maintaining the individual water service (lateral) from the main to the property line. Service lines (laterals) are generally ¾" to 1 ½" for private homes and up to 12" for larger commercial buildings. WSSC uses copper and cast iron for the service.

In the past, some galvanized pipe was used, but it is currently being replaced by copper. The service line (lateral) from the property line to the house and all water pipes within the house/building are the responsibility of the homeowner. Water service on property can be copper, galvanized or plastic.

SEWER

My basement is backed up with sewage. Whom should I call and what should I do?

Call WSSC's emergency line at (301) 206 - 4002. A Customer Care Agent will review the history for your address and advise you based on our records what you should do.

Several questions that you might consider when trying to determine the possible cause of a sewer problem/stoppage are:

1. Is the problem with an individual fixture such as the kitchen sink? If so, you may attempt to clear the blockage yourself or contact a plumber/sewer drain cleaner.
2. Is the problem with a commode located above the lowest level (floor) of the building? If yes, you may attempt to clear the blockage yourself or contact a registered plumber/sewer drain cleaner.
3. Is the problem with the lowest facility (toilet, shower, or laundry tub in the house/building? If yes, contact WSSC to investigate.
4. Is the service backing up constantly, even when the occupants on the premises are not using the facilities? If yes, contact WSSC to investigate.

When a service is backing up only when the occupants are using their facilities, or the problem is not in the lowest level plumbing fixtures, we suggest you contact a registered plumber or sewer drain cleaner for assistance with the problem. If you are unsure, please contact WSSC for assistance.

What is a water lateral (service) and for what portion am I responsible?

The contractor installing the sewer main generally installs the sewer service from the main to the property line. WSSC is responsible for maintaining the individual sewer service (lateral) from the main to the property line. Service lines (laterals) are generally 4" for private homes. The service line from the property line to the house and sewer pipes within the house is the responsibility of the homeowner.

Who should I call about the sewer odor?

An obstruction in the main (in the street) or service line can cause sewer odor where gases are trapped, but a backup is not occurring. The gases can escape through manholes or the drains in customers' homes or buildings. Unless the odor is isolated to one fixture or in an upper bathroom only, WSSC will investigate. Contact WSSC's emergency line at (301) 206 - 4002.

Please turn your water on and let it run for 15 seconds. This will ensure that there is water in the plumbing fixture traps.

Also, add approximately 2 cups of water to your floor drain. If the floor drain is dry, the sewer gas from the main or service can get into the house and cause an odor problem.

If you're leaving the house for an extended period, ensure that the toilet bowls have water in them.

What causes sewer clogs / backups?

What can I do to help prevent sanitary sewer backups?

Be careful what you put down the drain. Several items that should not be put into your sewer system are paper towels, diapers, grease, paints/solvents, chemicals, antifreeze, non-food oils, and any item that will not dissolve. Please deposit grease and food scraps into a can or the trash for disposal. Our Cease the Grease fact sheet, contains more information on proper grease disposal.

What are manholes? Where are they located?

What is a cleanout? Where is it located?