WSSC Water is urging customers to limit their water use to essentials only in southern Prince George's County starting Wednesday at 8 p.m.
The advisory will affect customers in Clinton, Rosaryville, Marlton, Brandywine, Accokeek and part of Fort Washington.
The "conservation request" affects about 110,000 residents of southern Prince George's County. Customers can type their address into an interactive map to see if they are in the affected area.
Crews will work around the clock starting early Thursday to replace a failing section of a concrete cylinder pipe water transmission main. The work is expected to take take three days to complete.
In Brandywine, the owner of New York Italian Deli & Restaurant said he fears the water restrictions will force him to temporarily close the business.
"If worse comes to worse, we have to shut down,” owner John Russo said, noting that all of his employees would suffer.
WSSC Water encourages customers to wash dishes and do their laundry before the work begins.
WSSC Water is asking customers to do the following:
- Stop all outside water use – no watering lawns, washing cars or topping off swimming pools
- Use water only, as necessary – i.e., take shorter showers and quickly turn off faucets immediately after use
- Limit flushing toilets (do not flush after every use)
- Limit using washing machines and dishwashers to full loads only
News4 sends breaking news stories by email. Go here to sign up to get breaking news alerts in your inbox.
Following these guidelines could prevent a boil water advisory and will help preserve water for fire protection, officials said.
Officials said that if it rains while crews are working, WSSC Water will close portions of Dower House Road from Woodyard Road to Old Marlboro Pike to local traffic only. Dower House Road will be completely closed to all traffic between Old Pike Way and Pearl Harbor Drive.