WSSC, Winter and Water Main Breaks

 

Water main breaks can leave hundreds of people without service and can also cause serious traffic problems, making the daily commutes even more challenging. WSSC takes winter preparations very seriously; however, every time there is a cold snap the number of water breaks and leaks increases. There is a direct connection between dropping water temperatures in the Potomac River and the increase in water main breaks. In the chart above you can see the response to temperature changes in the increase or decrease in water main breaks. 

According to the WSSC, they typically see an increase in water main breaks a few days after the Potomac River temperature hits a new low. The dropping water temperature can “shock” water mains, and though the pipes become accustomed to the cold water; whenever water temperatures hit a new low, there is a spike in breaks. Aging pipes is also a critical factor in breaks and leaks. The older, often brittle pipes are “shocked” by the colder water, causing them to break. Approximately 40% of the water mains in WSSC Water’s systems are more than 50 years old.

When the temperature drops the incidence of water main breaks rise. There are approximately 5,800 miles of water mains in the WSSC distribution system. On average, WSSC crews repair more than 1,800 water main breaks and leaks each year, with the vast majority of them, approximately 1,100, occurring between November and February. January 2018, the year the polar vortex hit our region had the most repairs of any month on record, 802 water mains were repaired in January alone. You can see the surge in water breaks that year in the chart below along with the seasonal pattern. 

  

The weather has snapped cold again. WSSC requests lease report water main breaks or leaks anytime 24/7 by calling 301.206.4002 or by email at EmergencyCallCenter@wsscwater.com. DC Water reports that they average between 400 and 500 water main breaks per year. Fairfax Water does not post their average total annual leaks and breaks, but has a live interactive site listing all current leaks. To report a leak Contact Us | Fairfax Water - Official Website.