Urgent Request – 3:20 p.m. Tuesday, September 29, 2026: Unknown Electrical Problem at Potomac Water Filtration Plant Is Impacting Ability to Bring Facility Back Online to Produce Water

Laurel, Md. – September 29, 2026, at 3:20 p.m. – WSSC Water crews are working around the clock, since early this morning, to restore power at its Potomac Water Filtration Plant, which supplies drinking water to approximately 70 - 75 percent of WSSC Water customers.

While Pepco has restored service to the facility, an unknown electrical problem at the plant is impacting the ability to bring systems back online to produce water.

If power is not restored soon, WSSC Water will issue a boil water advisory (BWA) later this afternoon / early this evening for the entire service area – impacting all 1.9 million customers in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.

In the meantime, WSSC Water continues to urge all customers to only use water for essential purposes through the following measures:

• Use water only as necessary – i.e., take shorter showers and quickly turn off faucets immediately after use.
• No outdoor water use, including lawn irrigation systems.
• Limit flushing toilets (do not flush after every use). 
• Limit using washing machines and dishwashers. 

This is a rapidly evolving situation and WSSC Water will provide continuous updates to keep customers informed. Check the WSSC Water website and social media, X (@WSSCWaterNews) and Facebook for updates as this situation develops.

WSSC Water’s Potomac WFP draws water straight from the Potomac River, producing between 100 and 120 million gallons of drinking water per day. It is the largest of WSSC Water’s two WFPs. The other WFP, Patuxent, is operational and currently producing 90 to 95 million gallons per day, which is not enough to meet demand. The average demand from customers is approximately 170 million gallons per day.