Potomac River Temperature Plunges - Big Chill Triggers Spike in Water Main Breaks

Laurel, Md. – December 15, 2025 – Winter’s punch has landed early! A colder-than-average December is triggering an increase in water main breaks and leaks across Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. And as the cold looms large, WSSC Water crews are on the front lines 24/7, ready to restore service to our customers.

Why Do Cold River Temps Mean More Broken Water Mains? 

The Potomac River temperature is a powerful predictor of water main breaks and leaks. As the river temperature drops, water main breaks/leaks increase, as shown in our chart tracking Potomac River temps vs. breaks/leaks.  

Between November 26 and today, the river temperature has dropped about 17 degrees from 49 to 32 degrees, triggering a significant uptick in the number of water main breaks and leaks. WSSC Water has experienced 293 breaks/leaks since November 26. 

Water main breaks/leaks tend to increase a few days after the river temperature hits a new low because the colder water takes time to travel through the nearly 6,000 miles of water distribution mains. 

Aging infrastructure is a critical factor in breaks and leaks. The older pipes are “shocked” by the colder water, causing them to break. Approximately 42% of the water mains in WSSC Water’s system are more than 50 years old. 

During a typical year, WSSC Water crews repair nearly 1,800 water main breaks and leaks, approximately 63% of which (1,127) occur between November and February. 

WSSC Water asks for their customers’ patience, especially during the busy winter months. All water main breaks and leaks are inspected and prioritized for repair, taking into account the damage being caused, the safety of the area and the number of customers impacted.

With the escalating number of water main breaks, response time can be delayed due to the limited number of crews working across the 1,000-square-mile service area. 

A leak that is not causing damage can be left running to ensure customers have water service until a crew is available to make repairs. When a crew is assigned to make a repair, it typically takes four to six hours after we have dug up and uncovered the damaged pipe. Repair time does not include the time it takes to locate the break and for Miss Utility to mark other underground utilities (i.e., gas, electric). Other factors, like the pipe size, location and depth buried, can add significant time to repairs. Water mains in the WSSC Water distribution system range from three inches to 96 inches in diameter. 

“Winter always puts an added stress on our system, and we are seeing that now,” said WSSC Water General Manager and CEO Kishia L. Powell. “Our dedicated crews, with support from emergency contractors as needed, are working around the clock to repair critical infrastructure and restore service to our customers as quickly as possible. We appreciate our customers’ patience during this busy repair season and we urge drivers to slow down, move over and stay alert when traveling through our work zones.” 

As one of the nation’s largest water utilities, WSSC Water’s emergency water main break and leak repair costs have increased significantly in recent years. In FY 25, WSSC Water spent $33 million responding to 2,259 breaks and leaks, with $22 million spent between November and February, the four busiest winter months: 

• FY 25: $33 million | 2,259 breaks and leaks
• FY 24: $20 million | 1,697 breaks and leaks
• FY 23: $17 million | 1,566 breaks and leaks

While emergency repairs address immediate service needs, areas experiencing repeated water main breaks will be addressed through WSSC Water’s Capital Improvements Program (CIP), which focuses on long-term system reliability and infrastructure renewal. The Fiscal Years 2026-2031 CIP is $4.8 billion. 

WSSC Water, serving 1.9 million customers in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties, maintains nearly 6,000 miles of water mains covering a 1,000-square-mile area. With such an extensive, aging distribution system spanning the two counties, WSSC Water encourages customers to report water main breaks and leaks as quickly as possible. 

There are three simple ways to report a break:

• Call WSSC Water’s 24/7 Emergency Services Center at 301-206-4002
• Email WSSC Water’s Emergency Center at emergencycallcenter@wsscwater.com
• Use WSSC Water’s mobile app

The “Report a Problem” feature on WSSC Water’s mobile app allows customers to easily snap a picture of a water or sewer problem and send it directly to the Emergency Call Center. The application uses GPS to pinpoint the image’s location, allowing dispatchers to send an inspector directly there.

WSSC Water maintains the pipes in the streets and the connections up to the property line. If a pipe on private property or inside a home or business freezes, it is the property owner’s responsibility to repair it.

Find more #WinterReady tips for homeowners at https://www.wsscwater.com/winterready.