Many of the area’s water structures are both old and decrepit. In Prince George’s and Montgomery counties, nearly a quarter of pipes are at least 50 years old. Pipes in Virginia are an average of 80 years old. The median age of pipes in the District is 75 years old. “And we actually have some Civil War-era water mains as well,” said Alan Heymann, a spokesman for the D.C. Water and Sewer Authority.
Two Democratic members of Maryland’s congressional delegation on Monday called for updating the area’s water infrastructure. Rep. Donna Edwards said Prince George’s County and Montgomery County have $3 billion “in unmet repair needs.”
Sen. Ben Cardin said the “major water main breaks that have become near epidemic in our region and elsewhere tell us that major parts of the system are too old and too frail to hold together much longer.”
Because the District’s water pipes are not as large as those used by Prince George’s and Montgomery counties, Heymann says they haven’t had the newsworthy breaks like Monday’s 54-inch water main burst in Capitol Heights. He said the District’s pipes usually aren’t wider than 24 inches.
Some of the area’s water main breaks have been dramatic. In December 2008, nine people had to be rescued — a few by helicopter — after a 66-inch water main broke on River Road in Potomac. A 42-inch water main break on Henderson Road in Prince George’s County in January 2009 forced residents out of their homes. – Alex Pappas
