BALTIMORE — WSSC Water is urging its customers in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties to conserve water amid an increase in water main breaks caused by frigid temperatures.

The company shared the alert on Sunday, Jan. 12, saying there are water main breaks in locations that have not been identified yet.

According to the company, there is no boil water advisory in place and water is safe.

On Monday morning, company officials said they are responding to 63 breaks and/or leaks.

Customers are urged to preserve water by taking the following steps:

• Use water only as necessary; take shorter showers and turn off faucets immediately after use
• Limit flushing toilets; do not flush after every use
• Limit using washing machines and dishwashers

Following the aforementioned guidance could prevent a boil water advisory as crews continue to address leaks and breaks, officials said. The company has called on additional crews and contractors to search for unreported breaks.

Any broken or leaking water mains will be shut down before repair crews are dispatched, which could create longer repair times and water outages.

WSSC Water customers are urged to call the company’s Emergency Services Center at 301-206-4002 to report any running water or chlorine odors.

Baltimore Water Main Breaks

On Sunday, Jan. 12, Baltimore City Councilmember Odette Ramos reported a water main break in North Baltimore on Linkwood Road that left an apartment complex without water.

In a social media post, Ramos said water was being delivered to Hopkins House Apartments Sunday evening as the repair may take a long time.

According to data from the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW), there were about 27 confirmed water main breaks in the city as of Monday morning. Data showed another 14 confirmed water main breaks across Baltimore County.

Freezing temperatures in Maryland

Maryland experienced freezing temperatures last week, along with a snowstorm that brought between 3 to 12 inches of snow to the region. Baltimore City saw about four inches of snow, while parts of the county saw between 3.5 to 7.5 inches, totals show.

Freezing temperatures caused dangerous conditions in the days following the heavy snowfall, and icy roads prompted school closures and delays across the state between Monday, Jan. 6, and Friday, Jan. 10.

Baltimore City issued a Code Blue Extreme Cold Alert through Saturday, Jan. 11 as wind chills dipped into the single digits for several days.

On Monday, temperatures in the Baltimore region ticked back up, though Arctic air is forecasted to return to the state by the middle of the week.

After losing to both Washington and Oregon on the road, Maryland picked up a signature win against UCLA on Friday evening. The Terps handed the Bruins a 79-61 loss to move Maryland to 12-4 on the year. The Terrapins moved to 2-3 in Big Ten Conference play and Maryland now has three winnable games in a row against Minnesota, Northwestern, and Nebraska before facing a tough Illinois team.

The Terps aren’t quite ranked in the top 25 yet but Maryland did rise in advanced analytics. According to KenPom, the Terps are ranked at No. 23 in the country after Saturday’s games were played. The Terrapins have a +22.46 NET rating and are ranked 21st (defensive rating) and 22nd (offensive rating) by KenPom.

Then over on ESPN, the Basketball Power Index has Maryland ranked 21st in the nation. The Terrapins have a 15.6 BPI rating and Maryland rose three spots after their win over the Bruins. ESPN now has Maryland projected to finish the season going 21.4-9.6 on the year and they give the Terps a 12.5% chance of winning the Big Ten Conference.

Maryland will have to continue to ride the hot hands of center Derik Queen, guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie, and forward Julian Reese who are all averaging 13 or more points on the season.

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