Potomac residents living near Wandering Trail will get their first look at plans to rehabilitate aging sewer lines in their neighborhood when WSSC Water holds a virtual community meeting on Tuesday, August 4.
The one-hour session, scheduled from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., marks the 30% design milestone for the Wandering Trail Sewer Rehabilitation Project. That means the utility has completed initial field surveys and chosen a rehabilitation method, and is now seeking resident input before moving into detailed engineering work, according to WSSC Water's community project meetings page.
Project Manager Gavin Omwega is leading the effort. The project is one of several sewer rehabilitation efforts WSSC Water is running in Potomac this year; a separate Falls Road Sewer Rehabilitation Project held its community meeting on Wednesday, June 10.
Why it matters
Aging sewer pipes can back up into homes, overflow into yards or contaminate nearby waterways. According to WSSC Water, soil conditions, groundwater levels, tree root intrusion and freeze-thaw cycles accelerate pipe deterioration in the region. The utility uses primarily trenchless methods for rehabilitation, which minimizes surface disruption.
WSSC Water serves 1.9 million residents across Montgomery and Prince George's counties. Its broader Sustainable Sewer Solutions (S3) Program, funded with $153.9 million from the Maryland Department of the Environment's Water Quality Revolving Loan Fund and $55.7 million from MDE's Bay Restoration Fund, currently covers 60 projects totaling 116.5 miles of sewer mains across both counties.
How to participate
The August 4 meeting is virtual. Residents can join online via Microsoft Teams or dial in at 240-800-7929, Conference ID: 159 801 382#.
WSSC Water is also accepting written feedback. Residents can email [email protected] with the project name and ID number in the subject line, or fill out the utility's Design Outreach Engagement Survey. WSSC Water welcomes input on neighborhood concerns, traffic access, construction impacts, and communication preferences
Residents can track construction and repair projects near their address using WSSC Water's interactive "In Your Neighborhood" map at gisportal.wsscwater.com/iyn/. For general questions, call 301-206-4001, weekdays 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. For water or sewer emergencies, call 301-206-4002, available around the clock.
Upcoming
- Tuesday, August 4 — Wandering Trail Sewer Rehabilitation Project 30% Design Community Meeting, 6:30–7:30 p.m., virtual (dial-in: 240-800-7929, Conference ID: 159 801 382#)
