Critical Customers

Essential Information:

What is a Critical Customer?

DC Water 'Critical Customers', as it relates to DC Water emergencies, are defined as consumers or service connections that are critical to community resiliency (public safety or health), or demand a large volume of water to sustain economic resiliency, or service a susceptible population such as and specific to Washington, DC:

  • First Responder Organizations / Police / Fire / EMTs
  • Hospitals / Medical Centers (including dialysis centers)
  • Local / Federal Government Facilities necessary for public safety / health
  • Mass Transit Stations
  • Nursing Homes / Assisted Living / Homeless Shelters
  • Potable Water Haulers
  • Power Provider
  • Public Shelters / Cooling Centers / Water Parks / Municipal Pools
  • Radio / TV Broadcast Centers
  • State / Local Emergency Management Agencies
  • Universities / High Schools / Elementary / Middle Schools / Preschool and Day Care Centers

Notifying all DC Water customers of a water or sewer emergency is one of our highest priorities, but specifically knowing where critical customers are and how to communicate with them assists the whole community in being resilient and in protecting susceptible populations. Emergency notifications are a time sensitive endeavor, and it is important for us to be able to contact critical customers quickly. Filling out the critical customer sign-up helps us by providing up to date locations and contact information for a crucial customer facility.

If you have any questions, please email the Office of Emergency Management at DCWater.OEM@dcwater.com.

Upcoming Meeting

Board of Directors Meeting

April 24, 2023

Monday 9:00 AM

Announcement

Aerial View of Construction near Watergate Complex Shows cranes and construction of drop shaft underway
Scaffolding Installation Begins near Watergate Complex for Potomac River Tunnel Project

Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway NW Beginning September 23, 2025, to Mid-November 2025

DC Water is installing temporary scaffolding at the Rock Creek Trail site, west of the Watergate Complex. Trail users are advised to adhere to flagger instructions during installation.

Scaffolding installation is expected to be completed by September 26, 2025, and will remain in place until mid-November 2025.

Latest Blog Post
A helicopter lowers a drill rig to workers on the Potomac River.
DC Water begins drilling in Potomac River to explore options to rehab underwater sewer line
When one of your major sewer lines runs through the Potomac River, a backhoe and trencher won't do. That's why we've got helicopters carrying a 14-ton drill and workers suspended midair over the Potomac.
Upcoming Meeting
Date
October 7, 2025
Tuesday, 9:30 AM

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.