WASA OFFERS TIPS TO KEEP PIPES FROM FREEZING

February 06, 2007

With the deep freeze covering the Washington, DC area, the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority is offering some tips to keep your pipes from freezing.

•Dont turn the heat down too low in the basement.

•Fill holes in doors, windows and walls near meters and pipes. Ensure that the crawl spaces are sealed tight.

•Be sure that heat can circulate around the water meter and pipes. Water meter and pipes in or on outside walls, in an uninsulated cabinet or in an enclosed area can freeze if heat does not circulate through the area. This is especially true when wind-chill factors drop well below zero.

•Insulate pipes that have frozen in the past or that may be exposed to freezing temperatures. Check insulation for dampness. Wet insulation is worse than no insulation at all.

•If you have experienced frozen water pipes in the past, we suggest you open a faucet, closest to where your service line enters your residence. The flow of water should be more than a couple drops but much less than a full stream.

Latest News

Picture of wastewater in the street on Anacostia Ave NE during sanitary sewer overflow

A Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) occurred early this morning, while performing ongoing repairs on the Anacostia Force Main in Northeast DC. At approximately 1:40 a.m. the sewer line experienced a short-term, unexpected surge in flow that exceeded the capacity. Clean-up is underway and is expected to be completed later today. 

logo of wssc water and dc water

With excessive rainfall forecasted for the region DC Water and WSSC Water are actively monitoring weather conditions and implementing mitigation strategies to minimize the risk of a controlled emergency sewage overflow from the Anacostia Wastewater Pumping Station (WWPS) in Capitol Heights, Maryland. This action would be taken as a last resort as the agencies work together to protect communities and the environment following the July 20 collapse of the 108-inch diameter Anacostia Sewer Force Main in Northeast Washington, D.C. near Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens.

WSSC Logo and DC Water logo

Weather key factor. Overflow from WSSC Water’s Anacostia Wastewater Pumping Station (WWPS) in Capitol Heights into Beaverdam Creek and Anacostia River is last resort. Would protect Northeast D.C. neighborhood after collapse of 108-Inch Diameter Anacostia Sewer Force Main.

Upcoming Meeting

Board of Directors Meeting

April 24, 2023

Monday 9:00 AM

Announcement

Picture of previous rock slide on the slope
DC Water Revises Canal Road Slope Stabilization Plan in Response to Community Feedback

DC Water has revised its slope stabilization plan along Canal Road Northwest to significantly reduce traffic disruptions during construction.

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A helicopter lowers a drill rig to workers on the Potomac River.
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Upcoming Meeting
Date
September 2, 2025
Tuesday, 10:00 AM

Upcoming Events

Customer Service Center Announcement

Payment Plan Incentive: provides a credit back of 40% of the last 3 payments made and in the new fiscal year 50% will be credited. Eligible participants are residential customers who have had an outstanding balance for 60 days or greater and with an outstanding balance of $500 or more.