WSSC Water Commissioners Now Accepting Applications for College Engineering Scholarship Program

The 2024 WSSC Water Commissioners’ Engineering Scholarship application is now available. Winners receive $2,000 per year and up to $8,000 over four consecutive years. In addition, scholarship winners are given priority for paid summer internships.

The scholarship is open to undergraduate or graduate engineering students and graduating high school seniors accepted into a college engineering program. Completed applications must be submitted online or received at WSSC Water by Thursday, Feb. 15.

“These scholarships are an investment in our future, enabling the next generation to obtain the engineering education needed to serve in critical water-sector roles,” said WSSC Water General Manager and CEO Kishia L. Powell. “With a large percentage of our workforce eligible to retire in the next five years, attracting the best and brightest to help us fulfill our one water mission is vital to our continued success.”

Named in honor of former Commissioners Joyce Starks and Gene W. Counihan, the goal of the scholarship program is to provide financial assistance to students from WSSC Water’s service district to further their engineering studies and encourage them to consider careers in the water and water resource recovery industry—preferably at WSSC Water.

Two scholarships for $2,000 each may be awarded: one to a Montgomery County resident and one to a Prince George’s County resident. Winners are eligible for additional awards of $2,000 each year for up to four consecutive years as long as they meet residency and grade-point average requirements. Winners also receive priority consideration for paid summer internship opportunities at WSSC Water.

Applicants must reside in WSSC Water’s service district in Montgomery or Prince George’s counties and be enrolled fulltime in a degree program at an accredited college or university that leads to a degree in one of the following areas: Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Material Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Computer Science/Engineering.

Applicants must include an introductory video and essay, two reference letters, an official transcript and proof of residency in WSSC Water’s service district. Get complete details and application requirements at wsscwater.com/scholarship.

Snow Is Part of This Winter: Be ‘Salt Wise’ While Trying to Keep Paths Safe

Snow has already made its presence known during the Winter of 2024—and more may be coming soon. Property owners are doing whatever is possible to keep pathways and driveways clear of snow and ice. While everyone wants to create safety, the Montgomery County Departments of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Transportation (MCDOT), and WSSC Water are asking everyone to be “Salt Wise” while trying to be snow free.

The Salt Wise Campaign aims to raise awareness about the impacts to the environment and drinking water from excessive salt use during winter weather.

“While salt is crucial for maintaining safe winter conditions, excessive use can have detrimental effects on our environment and water supply,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Salt runs off into storm drains, local streams, and eventually, to the Potomac and Patuxent rivers, which are drinking water sources for people in Montgomery County. Salt can corrode concrete and masonry, harm pets, damage surrounding plants and lawns and adversely impact resident’s health through impacts to the water supply, which is why we need to all use it sparingly and clean it up after storms whenever possible.”

The Salt Wise campaign is a simple three-step method for residents to keep sidewalks and driveways safe while also reducing harm to the environment.

Community members can take the following three steps to be Salt Wise:

• Shovel ice and snow early and often.
• Use 1 ½ cups (12 ounces) of salt for 10 sidewalk squares or for a 20-foot driveway.
• After storm events, sweep up excess salt for reuse.

The Salt Wise campaign is a joint effort between Montgomery County and WSSC Water, a collaboration that underscores the shared commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible winter maintenance practices.

“Over the past three decades, salt levels have increased dramatically in our drinking water sources: the Potomac and Patuxent rivers,” said WSSC Water General Manager and CEO Kishia L. Powell. “Because our filtration process does not remove salt, higher levels end up in the drinking water. While our water is safe, increased salt levels in water can be a health concern for people on sodium-restrictive diets. With the threat of snow in the forecast, it’s perfect timing to remind people to use less salt by being salt wise.”

“Salt is a key component in making our sidewalks, driveways and roads safe during winter storms,” said DEP Director Jon Monger. “However, too much salt has adverse impacts on our drinking water supply and our local streams posing a risk to sensitive wildlife. By practicing moderation with salt use and being Salt Wise, we can find a balance between protecting the public, our environment and our water sources.”

MCDOT manages the County’s snowstorm response and has implemented steps to reduce salt overuse.

“We apply the minimum amount of salt necessary to ensure public safety during snow events,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “We activate a Storm Operations Center, known as SOC, where staff is regularly checking and reporting out conditions and pavement temperatures around the County during snowstorms and we keep a close eye on the forecast. This allows us to determine if using salt is necessary in specific locations. We have implemented rubber tipped plow blades on all our plows, allowing for earlier plowing. We also use salt brine, a 23 percent salt to water solution to reduce the need for salt use.”

Residents can take action if they see piles of salt accidentally spilled onto roadways. MCDOT, which maintains County roads, advises residents to call 240-777-0311, or 311 from within the County, if they see a need for salt cleanup after a storm. Operators will contact the department responsible for a cleanup. MCDOT manages County roadways, the Maryland Department of Transportation manages state roads, Montgomery County Public Schools contracts for their properties, and the Department of General Services manages public facilities such as County libraries. For more information on how to effectively address salt use on residential and commercial properties, visit MontgomeryCountyMD.gov/salt.

Check the County’s Winter Storm Information Portal for information on snow plowing schedules, where to park your car safely, how to identify County-maintained versus state-maintained roadways, and more.

Salt Wise campaign videos and storm preparation b-roll are available for media use.

WSSC Water Extends ‘Get Current: Temporary Water Bill Amnesty Program’ Through Aug. 31, with Eligible Customers Receiving Bill Credits and Waived Fees

WSSC Water is extending Get Current temporary water bill amnesty program through Thursday, Aug. 31. This is the second extension of the financial assistance program that helps eligible customers with a delinquent balance as of May 1, 2023, by providing bill credits and waiving 100 percent of late payment charges and turn-on fees.

To date, more than 1,800 customers have signed up to take advantage of the benefits of the Get Current program. In working with the customers, WSSC Water has collected more than $1.5 million (including pay plan commitments).

Eligible residential customers whose household income is below 150 percent of area median income* could receive the following benefits:

• Ten percent bill credit for payment in full of the delinquent amount and 100 percent of late payment charges and turn-on fees waived.
• Five percent bill credit for 50 percent payment of the delinquent amount and successful completion of a six-month payment plan. Upon completion of the payment plan, 100 percent of late payment charges and turn-on fees are waived, and a five percent bill credit is applied.

Residential customers above 150 percent of area median income and commercial and multi-unit residential accounts with master meters are eligible for the 100 percent waiver of late payment charges and turn-on fees.

As of early August, more than 80,000 accounts were past due, accounting for $51.1 million The vast majority of overdue accounts reflected residential customers.

WSSC Water resumed residential water service turnoffs on past-due accounts on July 5. Turnoffs were temporarily suspended in June to encourage program participation.

Only after extensive customer notification and all other reasonable alternatives have been exhausted, including efforts to connect every income-constrained customer with available financial assistance, will WSSC Water disconnect water service. WSSC Water offers several financial assistance programs to help customers get current with their bills. More information on other customer assistance programs is available at wsscwater.com/assistance.

To learn more about WSSC Water’s Get Current program and determine if you qualify, visit wsscwater.com/getcurrent.

More information on eligibility for the program can be assessed by the following chart:

 

* Get Current 150 percent Area Median Income Limits by Household Size for Prince George’s and Montgomery

WSSC Water to Host Open House in Gaithersburg on Thursday, June 8, to Offer Tips on Saving Water and Provide Help to Those Behind on Their Water Bills

WSSC Water will hold an open house from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, June 8, at Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg that will range from offering water-saving tips to helping customers who have fallen behind on their water bills.

Bohrer Park is located at 506 South Frederick Road in Gaithersburg. The open house will include activities for kids.

During June, WSSC Water will temporarily suspend water turnoffs to encourage participation in its “Get Current” program.

The open house will have WSSC Water representatives that will work with residents through the utility’s Get Current program, which is running through June 30. The program could provide bill credits and 100 percent waivers of late payment charges and turn-on fees.

Eligibility for the special programs is based on 150 percent of median household income.

As of late March 2023, nearly 87,000 WSSC Water accounts are past due, totaling almost $57 million—the vast majority of which are residential customers. Along with helping customers, the Get Current program is vital to ensuring WSSC Water recoups funds to invest in and improve our critical infrastructure.

The open house also will be able to answer general questions about WSSC Water bills.

Other experts will be available to provide details on how to find and fix leaks, on environmental issues, on water quality and on contracting opportunities.

More information on the WSSC Water open house is available at wsscwater.com/openhouse.

WSSC Water Now Accepting Applications for Engineering Scholarships

WSSC Water’s is now accepting applications for its 2023 Commissioners Engineering Scholarships for undergraduate or graduate engineering students. Graduating high school seniors accepted into a collegiate engineering program also are eligible to apply. Winners of the scholarships receive $2,000 per year and up to $8,000 over four consecutive years.

The scholarships are open to students with permanent residency in Montgomery or Prince George’s counties enrolled in a fulltime college or university engineering program. The application deadline is Monday, April 17.

Two $2,000 annual scholarships—one for a student from each county—can be awarded. Recipients are eligible for additional $2,000 awards for up to four consecutive years, including post-graduate studies in engineering.

Applicants must submit an essay as part of their application. They can choose one of three topics to write a 500- to 1,000-word essay. The topics are:

• The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law delivers more than $50 billion through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to improve our nation’s drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure—the single largest investment in water the Federal government has ever made. If you were WSSC Water and applied for this funding, what types of projects would you spend it on and why?
• If you were General Manager/Chief Executive Officer for WSSC Water, how would you ensure racial equity and social justice were part of project selection for infrastructure projects?
• The water sector continues to face increasing pressures to fix aging infrastructure without increasing customer costs. Innovation and technology play a vital role in helping utilities meet these goals. What technological advances or innovative solutions would you adopt at WSSC Water to address the challenge of aging infrastructure without breaking the bank?

In addition to the essay, applicants must include an introductory video and proof of residency in WSSC Water’s service district.

Details and application requirements are available at wsscwater.com/scholarship.

WSSC Water’s Watershed Recreation Areas Now Open from Sunrise to Sundown

WSSC Water’s Patuxent Watershed recreation areas are now open from sunrise to sundown for all permitted activities, including boating, fishing, hiking, horseback riding and picnicking. The recreational areas span more than 4,000 acres along its two reservoirs, Triadelphia and T. Howard Duckett, in Montgomery, Prince George’s and Howard counties.

The reservoirs serve as drinking water sources for WSSC Water.

The 2023 season introduces the WSSC WATERshed app to help visitors plan and take full advantage of its recreational areas. The app provides details on each area, including interactive maps and pictures to help find amenities like shoreline fishing and picnic areas, playgrounds, boat launches and bathrooms. Maps are also available to download on phones for use when cellular service is weak or unavailable. The free app is available on the Apple Store and Google Play.

Visitors of the watershed who are 16 years or older must have a valid permit, which can be purchased online at wsscwater.com/watershed or in person at the Brighton Dam Visitor Center, which is located at 2 Brighton Dam Road in Brookville.

Complimentary permits are available for visitors 65 or older, active military and disabled veterans.

WSSC Water’s Brighton Dam Visitor Center is open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. every day, including weekends. To reach staff at the center, call 301-206-7485.

Everyone Urged to be ‘Salt Wise’ and Use Less Salt During Winter Storms to Reduce Impact on Environment and Drinking Water

The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the Department of Transportation (MCDOT) and WSSC Water are urging homeowners to be “Salt Wise” and use less salt on sidewalks and driveways during winter storms.

Salt runs off into storm drains, local streams, and eventually, to the Potomac and Patuxent rivers which are drinking water sources for 1.9 million residents in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. Salt can corrode concrete and masonry, harm pets, damage surrounding plants and lawns, and adversely impact the water supply.

“Using salt to melt ice from sidewalks and driveways has been a winter staple for generations; however, the harmful impacts from over-salting need to be recognized and addressed,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “We want homeowners to know that that salt goes directly into our drinking water and cannot be removed. Small amounts of salt do the job and better protect the environment. We are also asking that residents sweep up any excessive piles of salt and reuse it. Allowing excess salt to flow into our water puts our environment and our health at risk.”

Salt levels have been steadily increasing in local streams, posing a risk to sensitive wildlife and stream health. Once salt gets into waterways, it does not go away.

“Salt levels have skyrocketed in our drinking water sources, the Potomac River and Patuxent River reservoirs, over the past three decades,” said WSSC Water’s Production Director JC Langley. “While our water is absolutely safe to drink, increased salt levels can be a health concern for people on sodium-restrictive diets. We ask residents to protect their drinking-water supplies by being salt wise.”

The Salt Wise campaign is a three-step method for residents to keep sidewalks and driveways safe, while also reducing harm to the environment.

Tips residents can follow include:

• Shovel ice and snow early and often.
• Use one 12-ounce cup of salt for 10 sidewalk squares or for a 20-foot driveway.
• After storm events, sweep up excess salt for reuse.

“As the County takes important steps to be Salt Wise, we encourage residents to also heed this guidance as we all work together to protect our environment,” said Acting DEP Director Adriana Hochberg. “We all need to remember that salt can harm our streams, creeks and our drinking water. We have the tools and the know-how to protect our roads, sidewalks and driveways while also keeping our water supply safe.” 

MCDOT manages the County’s snowstorm response and has implemented steps to reduce salt overuse.

“We apply the minimum amount of salt necessary to endure public safety during snowstorms,” said MCDOT Chief of Highway Services Richard Dorsey. “We have implemented plow bumpers on all our plows, allowing for early plowing. We also use salt brine, a 23 percent solution of salt vs. water before the snow starts to reduce the need for salt use.”

Residents can also take action if they see large piles of salt accidentally spilled onto roadways. MCDOT is reminding residents to call 311 for salt pile cleanup.

“If residents see excessive salt use, they are asked to report it through 311 so that the responsible entity can be asked to clean it up,” said Mr. Dorsey.

Multiple agencies are responsible for clearing snow. The Maryland Department of Transportation clears and salt State roads, typically identified by any roadway with a number such as Connecticut Avenue (Route 185), Georgia Avenue (Route 97) and River Road (Route 190). The County’s Department of General Services manages County facilities such as libraries and Montgomery County Public Schools contracts for school grounds and parking lots. MCDOT clears County roads, typically beginning with arterial roadways and then neighborhood roads.

MC 311 is prepared to determine what entity is responsible and route calls for cleanup in response to inquiries it receives.

The County hosts a Winter Storm Informational Portal for residents. The webpage assists in determining if MCDOT is responsible for treating a street. The website provides updates on the County’s snow removal status and allows for service request submittals.

“We work closely with DEP to monitor salt use. We train our plow drivers and measure what they use, we monitor conditions only laying salt as a last resort when conditions require it for public safety,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “MCDOT is heavily involved in the County’s Climate Action Plan, and we consistently work to improve our environment in everything we do. We ask that residents and our partner agencies do the same. It will take all of us making environmentally friendly choices collectively to have the impact we need to see.”

For more information on how to effectively address salt use on residential and commercial properties, go to MontgomeryCountyMD.gov/salt.

Consumer Protection Warns Residents to Be Wary of Community Water Testing Scams

The Flint Michigan water crisis sparked concerns about water purity around the nation. Residents should be aware that there are unethical scammers who may attempt to take advantage of these concerns. These cons often go door-to-door and leave water sample bottles with testing instructions behind. Residents will then fill the bottles and leave them outside to be picked up. Despite the fine print, many residents assume (or are outright told) the testing is conducted by the government. However, the testing is done by companies selling water treatment systems.

The representative may perform the testing in front of the resident by adding tablets or drops of chemicals to the tap water, while explaining that the water will change color or particles will form if it is contaminated. When the water predictably changes, the representative may warn the water is polluted and could cause cancer. If the water is tested offsite, this demonstration is unnecessary and the results are given over the telephone. The best solution, the consumer is told, is to buy the company's water treatment device. These devices and systems can cost upwards of $8000.

Oftentimes, these merchants employ a prize or sweepstakes approach where to qualify for the prize, the consumer has to buy a water purifier, which may later be determined to be of very little value. These consumers may also be pressured into giving away credit card numbers for identification or verification and instead could be slammed with unwanted and unauthorized charges for additional water treatment devices or services.

If you are concerned about your water quality arrange for an independent test, contact the EPA's Safe Water Drinking Hotline. If you have a complaint concerning a water testing scam, file a complaint with the Office of Consumer Protection or call us at (240) 777-3636.

Of note: The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) provides water service to almost all of Montgomery County. WSSC is among the largest water and wastewater utilities in the nation, with a network of nearly 5,600 miles of fresh water pipeline and over 5,400 miles of sewer pipeline. WSSC drinking water has always met or exceeded federal standards.

Former County Administrator Tom Street Named WSSC’s Deputy General Manager for Administration

Former Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, Thomas J. Street began as WSSC’s new Deputy General Manager for Administration on February 16. In his new role, Street will guide and oversee the administrative aspects of the Commission.

Prior to his appointment, Street served under County Executive Ike Leggett, as one of four administrators who supported and advised the Chief Administrative Officer. While with the County, Street’s areas of responsibility included oversight of the County’s MC311 Initiative and coordinating issues such as Wheaton revitalization, inclement weather response, pedestrian safety, the Purple Line and Corridor Cities Transitway mass transit projects, and affordable housing.

Leggett Names Fausto R. Bayonet as Montgomery County’s Newest WSSC Commissioner

County Executive Isiah Leggett has named Rockville architect and businessman Fausto R. Bayonet as the newest commissioner to represent the County on The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission’s (WSSC) governing board.

A native of the Dominican Republic, Bayonet came to the Washington area in 1971 to further his architectural studies at the University of Maryland. For more than 20 years he held positions in various capacities for a number of architecture firms, working on a variety of residential, commercial and public projects.

Bayonet replaces Gene Counihan who recently retired after eight years of service as commissioner, in addition to his more than 50-year career serving the people of Montgomery County and Maryland.

See the full news release.

New WSSC Chair from Montgomery County

Adrienne Mandel of Montgomery County has been elected as the new chair of the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC). Mandel has represented the County on the Commission since 2007. Her term lasts until June 2016.

Mandel succeeds Omar Boulware, who will continue on as a Commissioner representing Prince George’s County. Chris Lawson, also a Commissioner from Prince George’s County, was elected vice chair. Boulware joined the Commission in November 2013, while Lawson was appointed in 2011.

More details in the news release.

WSSC Reminds Residents of Carbon Monoxide Hazards

Two recent carbon monoxide scares in our area resulted in individuals needing medical attention. The source of the carbon monoxide in both events was a gas appliance.

This is why the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) is reminding the public that carbon monoxide is a critical public safety issue and to be aware that:

• plumbers must be licensed and obtain a WSSC permit to install gas appliances and
• gas appliances must be inspected by a WSSC inspector upon installation. 

WSSC Regulatory Services has public resources available online, including FAQs, Plumbing Code information and flyers in English, Spanish and Chinese regarding gas appliance installation requirements.

WSSC is investigating each of the cases and scheduling inspections for each site. If there are questions regarding permits, installation and inspection, customers can contact WSSC at 301-206-4004.