WSSC Water

Profile narrative

WSSC Water, also known as the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, is a public utility responsible for providing drinking water and wastewater treatment services to residents and businesses in the Washington suburban region of Maryland. It operates water supply systems that draw from the Potomac River and treat the water at several filtration plants before distribution through an extensive network of pipes. The utility also collects and treats wastewater at multiple treatment plants, returning cleaned water to the environment. Its service area includes Prince George's and Montgomery counties, serving a diverse population that relies on the agency for safe and reliable water and sewer infrastructure.

As a bi‑county agency, WSSC Water is governed by a board of commissioners appointed by the two counties it serves, reflecting its status as a governmental entity rather than a privately owned corporation. The utility manages significant infrastructure, including numerous water mains and sewer lines, pumping stations, and storage facilities that support the daily needs of the communities it serves. Its distinguishing attributes include a focus on public health protection, compliance with federal and state environmental regulations, and investment in resilient systems such as air‑gapped networks to safeguard critical operations against cyber threats. The agency also provides customer service and billing support to account holders. The ransomware incident of May 2021, which affected only non‑essential business systems and was contained without disrupting water quality or service, highlighted the organization’s preparedness and response capabilities, leading to law‑enforcement notification and credit‑monitoring offers for affected individuals. These facts underscore WSSC Water’s role as an essential service provider committed to maintaining the safety and reliability of the region’s water and wastewater infrastructure.

Incidents

1 incident linked to this organisation.