Polar Vortex Brings Water Main Breaks to WSSC

 

from WSSC

As the chart above shows, there is a direct connection between dropping water temperatures in the Potomac River and the rate of water main breaks. When the temperature drops the incidence of water main breaks rise. The river is the primary source of drinking water for 1.8 million WSSC Water customers in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. When a new low temperature is reached, the colder water can shock pipes, increasing the number of breaks and leaks a few days later.

On average, WSSC crews repair more than 1,800 water main breaks and leaks each year, with the vast majority of them, approximately 1,200, occurring between November and February. In the chart above you can see the increase number of breaks this past week. WSSC has been working hard to repair breaks. Fortunately, the number of water main breaks has stayed below the record of 2017.

Of the 5,700 miles of water mains in their distribution system, approximately 2,900 miles are cast iron pipe, which were used from 1916 to through 1976. These pipes are more prone to break in cold weather because cast iron is a brittle material and becomes more so after 60 years. Pipe age is a primary factor in the majority of breaks. Nearly 40% of WSSC water mains are more than 50 years old.