Controlled Sanitary Sewer Overflow at Piscataway Wastewater Treatment Plant for Maintenance

Valve Needed Repair

Laurel – March 4, 2016 – (RealEstateRama) — An emergency bypass pumping system was activated at the Piscataway Wastewater Treatment Plant in Accokeek Tuesday morning at 5:36 a.m.

The bypass was required so crews could repair a valve at the plant’s raw wastewater pumping station. Untreated domestic wastewater was pumped and retained in an onsite pond that was formerly part of the treatment process at the plant.

The valve was serviced and closed and the bypass pumping was stopped at 11:01 a.m. on Tuesday. An estimate 3.61 million gallons of untreated domestic wastewater was discharged to the pond and all liquid appears to have been retained in the pond at the plant. There does not appear to be any discharge to Piscataway Creek.

This emergency operation was preapproved by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). Prince George’s County Health Department was also notified.

The bypass pumping system will be dismantled and a pump will be set up to pump the retained sewage back to the plant for full treatment prior to normal discharge. When all fluid that can be pumped is removed from the pond the treated final effluent will be sent to the pond to dilute any remaining liquid which will then be returned back to the treatment process.

WSSC is committed to protecting the health of the public and the environment. With more than 5,400 miles of sewer mains throughout its service area, WSSC appreciates notification from citizens if a sewer back up is suspected. Citizens can call 301-206-4002 or toll free 1-800-828-6439 at any time to report water or sewer emergencies in Prince George’s or Montgomery counties.

Established in 1918, today WSSC is among the largest water and wastewater utilities in the nation. We proudly serve the 1.8 million residents of Prince George’s and Montgomery counties, providing life’s most precious resource. WSSC drinking water has always met or exceeded federal standards.