Privacy Policy

Welcome to the WSSC Water website.

Since your privacy is important to us, WSSC Water provides this notice to enable you to control your personal information. It explains how we handle online information received from you. Because the information we receive depends upon what you do when visiting our site, please read and follow the "frequently asked questions" format as presented in the Information We Collect section of this policy statement.

You probably are aware that advances in computer technology have made it possible for detailed information about people to be compiled and shared more easily and cheaply than ever. That's good for society as a whole. At the same time, as personal information becomes more accessible, each of us must take precautions to protect against the misuse of that information.

You should also keep in mind, while referencing this privacy policy, that Internets and Intranets are still relatively new. Many organizations and businesses are still trying to figure out the "right combination" of organizational controls versus the individuals' empowerment, given the context of the technology.

Privacy Policy

This privacy policy serves as a general statement regarding the handling of personal information by the WSSC Water. It represents a broad as well as flexible policy, which governs access to, and use of, the Internet, Intranet, and Extranet. The Internet is defined as a global network connecting millions of computers. While an Intranet is a private network belonging to an organization, usually a corporation, accessible only by the organization's members, employees, or others with authorization. In essence, it's like a mini version of the Internet. Finally, an Extranet is a fancy way of saying that a corporation has opened up portions of its Intranet to authorized users outside the corporation. Many public companies allow stockholders to view their financials this way, for instance. Typically, Extranet users are given a login and password, which tells the computer specifically what information they are entitled to view.

WSSC Water promotes the productive use of all its computing resources. However, there is also a responsibility to protect these same resources. In this regard, WSSC Water has, and will continue, to institute appropriate safeguards. To aid in preventing unauthorized access, maintain data accuracy, and ensure correct use of information, we have put in place appropriate physical, electronic, and managerial procedures to secure all personal information about you.

WSSC Water will keep you informed regarding privacy issues. Changes will be made to the privacy policy from time to time. The rollout of new technology, more specifically new business applications and customer services, will require future modifications. Any amendment of this policy, however, will be in accordance with the specific technology or computing environment in question. The intent is to make it more understandable and relevant to your needs. If WSSC Water does change the policy, a notice on this web site will state such.

Commitment to Privacy

The WSSC Water in its dual role as public utility and government agency (State chartered) is committed to the privacy of its customers, while carrying-out its mission. We take data security and the privacy of your personal information very seriously. It is important to WSSC that the collection of personal information be minimal, to the extent possible and practicable. When information is required, however, the WSSC will explicitly ask for it. We fully understand that visitors to our web site at www.wsscwater.com, as well as users of our Intranet, Extranet and Internet services, need to be in control of their personal information.

Remember: You do not have to give us "personally identifiable information" (described in Information WSSC Water Collects section of this policy) just to visit the WSSC Water website.

What Information Does WSSC Water Collect?

• We collect the number of "hits" to our site.
• We collect the number of sessions that are conducted for each Web page.
• We do use this information strictly for statistical purposes and to help us make our web site more useful to visitors. The information is stored for a maximum of two years.
• We collect, retain and use personally identifiable information (such your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, account number) from users of our online services. WSSC Water will explicitly ask you when we need such information. Only information specifically and knowingly provided by you is collected. The information you provide will be used only for the purpose you intend. We may enter the information into a database maintained at our corporate headquarters. We use this information to assist us in improving our services to our customers and as reference in addressing customer inquiries and service needs.

Links to Other Sites

Our site contains links to other web sites. Once you link to another site, you are subject to the privacy policy of the new site. WSSC Water is not responsible for the privacy practices of linked sites.

Release of Information

WSSC Water will not share your personal information with any third party except as necessary to operate this web site, to provide the services you requested or to fulfill legal and regulatory obligations.
 
As an agency of the State of Maryland, WSSC Water is subject to the Maryland Public Information Act provisions (Annotated Code of Maryland, State Government Article § 10-611 et seq.). Pursuant to the provisions of this Act, WSSC is required to disclose certain information provided by others upon request. Confidential commercial information and confidential account information is not disclosed, even upon request. To submit an MPIA request for information, please email the WSSC Water Custodian.
 
If we believe someone is attempting to break into, has broken into or has otherwise abused our resources over the Internet, we can use the information collected to find those responsible. As part of these efforts we may share the information with law enforcement agencies.

How to Contact WSSC Water

If you have any questions or concerns about these privacy policies, please contact:

Information Technology Team
Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission
14501 Sweitzer Lane
Laurel, MD 20707

If you experience any technical difficulties with our site, please contact our Webmaster at webmaster@wsscwater.com.

Disclaimer Notice

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided through WSSC Water's websites is correct. The information is being provided as a public service. WSSC Water assumes no liability for any inaccuracies that may be present.