Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission

Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission
Name	Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission
Type	Bi-county agency
Founded	0 1918
Jurisdiction	Prince George's and Montgomery counties
Headquarters	Laurel, Maryland
Key people	Kishia L. Powell (General Manager)
Website	wsscwater.com

Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission. The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission is a bi-county agency that provides drinking water and wastewater treatment services for nearly two million residents in Prince George's and Montgomery counties. Established by the Maryland General Assembly in 1918, it operates one of the largest water and sewer utilities in the United States. The commission manages a vast network of infrastructure, including treatment plants, pumping stations, and thousands of miles of pipeline, under the regulatory oversight of the Maryland Department of the Environment and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

History

The agency was created by an act of the Maryland General Assembly in response to public health crises and rapid suburban growth following World War I. Its formation was heavily influenced by the need to combat waterborne diseases like typhoid fever and to manage sanitation for developing communities outside Washington, D.C.. Early projects focused on constructing regional sewer interceptors and acquiring private water companies, such as the Washington Suburban Sanitary District. A significant expansion occurred post-World War II, aligning with the Baby Boom and the development of major suburbs like Silver Spring and Bethesda. Key historical figures include Lawrence J. Hogan and various county executives who shaped its growth. The commission has navigated challenges including the Potomac River drought of the 1960s and evolving federal mandates like the Clean Water Act.

Service area and infrastructure

The commission's service territory encompasses approximately 1,000 square miles across Prince George's and Montgomery counties, including incorporated cities like Rockville, College Park, and Takoma Park. Its water supply primarily comes from the Potomac River and the Patuxent River, treated at major facilities like the Potomac Water Filtration Plant and the Patuxent Water Filtration Plant. The wastewater system includes two advanced treatment plants: the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant, operated in partnership with the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority, and the Piscataway Wastewater Treatment Plant. The infrastructure network comprises over 5,600 miles of fresh water mains and more than 5,400 miles of sewer pipeline, supported by numerous reservoirs, pumping stations, and storage tanks.

Governance and organization

The commission is governed by a six-member board of commissioners, with three members appointed by the County Executive of each participating county and confirmed by their respective county councils. Day-to-day operations are led by a General Manager, currently Kishia L. Powell. The organizational structure includes deputy general managers overseeing divisions such as Operations, Engineering, and Customer Care. Financial operations are supported by rates and fees approved by the board, with bond issuances often rated by agencies like Moody's Investors Service. The commission collaborates closely with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and other regional bodies on planning and policy.

Water and sewer services

The commission provides treated drinking water that meets or exceeds standards set by the Safe Drinking Water Act and enforced by the Maryland Department of the Environment. Its wastewater treatment processes adhere to permits under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System and the Clean Water Act. Customer services include emergency response for main breaks, lead service line replacement programs, and conservation initiatives like the WaterSense partnership. The utility also manages a large-scale Clean Rivers Project to control combined sewer overflow and operates a Laboratory Services division for water quality testing. Billing and account management are handled through regional offices and an online customer portal.

Major projects and initiatives

A flagship capital project is the Potomac Water Filtration Plant expansion and modernization, aimed at increasing capacity and resilience. The commission's Pipe Replacement Program is a multi-decade initiative to rehabilitate aging cast iron and concrete pipes, some dating to the early 20th century. Significant environmental initiatives include the Anacostia River restoration projects and the Piscataway Bioenergy Project, which converts biosolids into renewable energy. The agency is also implementing advanced SCADA systems for infrastructure monitoring and has undertaken major projects like the Sligo Creek Sewer Rehabilitation to address infiltration and inflow.

Environmental and regulatory compliance

The commission operates under stringent permits from the Maryland Department of the Environment and the United States Environmental Protection Agency, covering areas from NPDES discharges to stormwater management. It actively participates in the Chesapeake Bay Program, working to reduce nutrient pollution and sediment loads in accordance with the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load. Compliance efforts include monitoring for PFAS, implementing green infrastructure projects, and adhering to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act for biosolids management. The utility also engages in public outreach through its Environmental Stewardship programs and reports annually on its sustainability performance.

Category:Water companies of the United States Category:Government of Maryland Category:1918 establishments in Maryland