Water main break in Washington County prompts water conservation, water bottle distribution

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Md. ( DC News Now ) — The Washington County Office of Emergency Management is asking residents to conserve water after a water main broke on Saturday.

The water main broke on Virginia Avenue near the I-70 overpass.

As a result, the entire surrounding area is without water, and Route 11 is closed in both directions as of Saturday afternoon.

Officials are advising drivers to avoid the area due to high water levels.

The Washington County Office of Emergency Management said residents in the affected area should conserve water until further notice “to ensure that available water supplies can be preserved and prioritized for essential services, including emergency response.”

Residents are asked to:

• Limit the use of dishwashers and washing machines.
• Take shorter showers and avoid baths.
• Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth or shaving.
• Postpone activities such as car washing or lawn watering.
• Fix leaks and dripping faucets promptly.

Bottled water is also available for residents of Van Lear and Tammany Manor. Affected residents can pick up bottled water at the Halfway Fire Department, located at 11114 Lincoln Ave. in Hagerstown.

According to the emergency management office, water service for residents in Van Lear and Tammany Manor is expected to be fully restored around midnight.

All other residents outside of these areas should start seeing their water service return to normal.

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