WSSC DECLARES MANDATORY WATER RESTRICTIONS FOR ALL WSSC CUSTOMERS

RESTRICTIONS REQUIRED WHILE EMERGENCY REPAIR IS MADE ON A 96-INCH PIPE 

  

LAUREL – July 1, 2010: To ensure continued water supply for all WSSC customers and for fire protection and hospital/medical uses, Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) General Manager Jerry N. Johnson today called for mandatory water restrictions for all WSSC customers.  The goal is to reduce water usage by about one-third.  The restrictions take effect immediately and are expected to last at least four days. 

 

The mandatory restrictions are necessary after monitoring technology indicated a failing section of a 96-inch water main located near the corner of Tuckerman Lane and Gainsborough Road in Potomac in Montgomery County.  “This technology, an acoustic fiber optic monitoring system, detected the problem, allowing us to take preventative measures now,” says Johnson.  “This proves the system works and helped us to prevent what could have been a much more serious situation. “  The fiber optics system was installed in the pipe three years ago and will eventually be installed in all of WSSC’s large water mains.  The process to repair the pipe has already begun and will continue around-the-clock until complete. Until that time it is imperative that customers:  

  

 

·         Stop all outside water use – no watering lawns, no washing cars, no topping off swimming pools 

 

·         Use water only as necessary  

 

·         Limit flushing toilets (do not flush after every use)  

 

·         Limit using washing machines and dishwashers (wash full loads only)  

 

  

WSSC has been working with fire departments from both counties to make sure there is adequate fire protection, especially considering that this weekend is the 4th of July and there will likely be numerous fireworks displays.  “We know this is a burden, especially on this holiday weekend.  But if everyone can be vigilant and cut their water use by a third, we’ll be ok,” said Johnson.  "We appreciate everyone's understanding, patience and cooperation while we work through this."  

 

WSSC will notify customers once repairs are complete and mandatory restrictions are no longer necessary.  

 

For additional information log on to the WSSC website at www.wsscwater.com or call the WSSC Call Center at 301.206.4002.  

 

  

 

Contact:  

 

Jim Neustadt 

 

(301) 206-8100 

 

jneusta@wsscwater.com 

 

John C. White 

 

(301) 206-8100 

 

jwhite@wsscwater.com 

 

Intergovernmenal Relations Office 

Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission 

14501 Sweitzer Lane 

Laurel, MD 20707 

 

Office: 301-206-8228 

Facsimile: 301-206-8229

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2010 DC Caribbean Filmfest

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Announcement of ICC Public Meeting to Discuss Ongoing Environmental Projects

As you may know, the State Highway Administration’s (SHA) Intercounty Connector (ICC) project includes a comprehensive package of Environmental Stewardship and Compensatory Mitigation (ES/CM) activities as part of the project. The ES/CM program comprises not only an unprecedented level of mitigation to offset those environmental impacts associated with the ICC, but also includes numerous stewardship projects designed to reverse environmental degradation in the project area caused by development that occurred prior to the construction of the ICC. The ES/CM package contains a wide variety of projects, including stream and fish passage restoration, wetlands creation and enhancement, and Community Stewardship projects such as bicycle/pedestrian trails.

The ICC Project Team is holding a public meeting for the following ES/CM projects, which are proposed near your community:

• NW-35: Northwest Branch stormwater management (SWM) retrofits, located at Naples Manor, approximately 31 acres;


• NW-39: Northwest Branch SWM retrofits, located at Long Green Drive, approximately 26 acres;


• NW-47: Northwest Branch SWM retrofits, located at Old Baltimore Road, approximately 28 acres;


• REF-10: M-NCPPC reforestation, located at Reddy Branch and Manor Oaks, approximately nine acres.

A public meeting is scheduled from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm on Wednesday, June 9, 2010, at Argyle Middle School (cafeteria), located at 2400 Bel Pre Road in Silver Spring, Maryland. This meeting will provide interested citizens with details about the proposed projects listed above. There will be no formal presentations at this meeting. Members of the project team will be present to answer any questions.

The SHA hopes that you will be able to attend this meeting to learn more about the proposed environmental projects. If we may be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. John Sales, Environmental Projects Community Liaison, Office of the ICC, toll-free at 866-462-0020 or via email at jsales@iccproject.com.

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Statement by County Councilmember Nancy Navarro on Council’s FY 2011 Operating Budget and CIP Agreement

ROCKVILLE, Md., May 20, 2010—Montgomery County Councilmember Nancy Navarro made the following statement in regard to the Council’s tentative agreement today on the Fiscal Year 2011 Operating Budget and FY11-16 Capital Improvements Program:

Today I cast my vote on the County’s FY11 Operating Budget and the FY11-16 Capital Improvements Program. Although it was the worst budget year in Montgomery County’s history, we kept our pledge to maintain adequate reserves, treat our employees equitably, preserve our safety net as much as possible, and maintain the educational services that are the pride of our County.

But in order to create this budget, my colleagues and I had to make many difficult decisions and some important changes to the County Executive’s proposed budget. Rather than double the energy tax, we raised it by 85 percent. Make no mistake, this is a very large increase--however, many families will not see much impact due to scheduled rate reductions and this increase is scheduled to sunset in two years. I hope that as our fiscal condition improves, we can eliminate this increase.

We also had to eliminate hundreds of positions and all employee pay raises. Although the County Executive also proposed 10 days of furlough for all non-public safety employees in Montgomery County Government, I believed strongly along with my colleagues that imposing an almost 4 percent salary reduction on one-fifth of the combined agency workforce would be inequitable. Ultimately, after much discussion, we instituted 5 days of progressive furloughs for all Montgomery County employees.

While we avoided some of the very worst cuts, our residents and employees will certainly feel the impact of this budget in reduced services, an increased workload and lower pay. Some departments, including parks, libraries and transportation, took particularly large hits approaching 25 percent that will affect their ability to deliver the services our residents have rightfully come to expect. However, recognizing the importance of our public school system, we approved a final budget for Montgomery County Public Schools that amounted to only a 1.3 percent reduction from its FY10 budget, while increasing its capital budget by 10 percent. I am confident that our School Board and Superintendent Jerry Weast will institute any necessary reductions in a manner that minimizes any impact on schoolchildren. My two daughters are MCPS students and I served on the Board for five years, so I know that their education is in good hands.

Although our fiscal crisis is not yet over, I am pleased that the Council closed an almost $1 billion gap while preserving many core services including transit, public safety, health care for the uninsured poor, and education, without raising property taxes. In addition, we maintained a 6 percent reserve and approved a capital budget that funds many important road and school projects. However, rather than continue to rely on furloughs, service reductions, and tax increases, I believe we need to seriously address our structural deficit and reorganize our government so that we can efficiently deliver the services our County is known for. My priority going forward is to work to solve our long-term fiscal and structural challenges, so that Montgomery County can remain vibrant, diverse and prosperous.

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Francoise Carrier Named New Chair of Montgomery County Planning Board

planningboardChairNamed 5-18-10

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