WSSC finally addresses water main break at Old Georgetown Rd. & Woodmont Ave. in Bethesda

A water main break in the intersection of Old Georgetown Road and Woodmont Avenue was finally tackled by a crew from the WSSC water utility last night. The leak was now being measured in weeks rather than hours or days, and had caused persistent pooling of water in the intersection. WSSC repaired a significant water main break only a couple of blocks away on Wisconsin Avenue last week, where the roadway was in such bad shape that the utility had to resurface the street in the affected area.

WSSC is aware of ongoing water main break on Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda

Water continued to flow in the intersection of Old Georgetown Road and Woodmont Avenue in downtown Bethesda on Wednesday. But water utility WSSC says it is aware of the leak, and has put the location on its list of repairs. "We're coordinating with nearby businesses and apartment buildings to help minimize any water service interruptions," WSSC told me via Twitter. A WSSC crew completed repairs to a major pipe break about a block away on Tuesday, which required a full resurfacing of the block of Wisconsin Avenue in question.

Water main break on Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda

There appears to be a water main break at the intersection of Old Georgetown Road and Woodmont Avenue in downtown Bethesda. It has been bubbling up for about a week, and there is enough standing water to create a splash when cars drive through it. As of this writing, water utility WSSC has not yet sent a crew to repair it. Be on the lookout if you are driving or walking in that area.

Bethesda CVS Pharmacy reopens after extended closure due to water outage

The CVS Pharmacy at 7235 Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Bethesda has reopened, after an unscheduled and extended closure. A water main break on January 6, 2025 left the store without water service. Utility WSSC stated on January 7 that it had restored service to customers in that vicinity, but the store remained closed for weeks beyond that. CVS cited a water outage as the reason for the closure. WSSC has not elaborated further on the matter since January 7, but recently announced that its crews have responded to 414 water main breaks so far this month.

Bethesda CVS Pharmacy remains closed a week after water main break

The CVS Pharmacy at 7235 Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Bethesda remained closed yesterday, a week after a water main break across the street from the store on Wisconsin Avenue. Early on the morning of January 7, 2025, water utility WSSC posted on Twitter that it expected water service to be restored to customers impacted at 1:35 AM. WSSC has not posted any further updates about this particular water main break since, but the CVS has not reopened.

WSSC repairs downtown Bethesda water main break ahead of snowstorm

Water utility WSSC finally got around to addressing the water main break at the intersection of Arlington Road and Bethesda Avenue last night, as the area prepares for another shift in temperatures this weekend. The water main rupture first became apparent last Monday night, December 30, 2024. A WSSC crew got to it just in time last evening, as the plunging temperature threatened to turn the pooling water at the intersection into ice. Expect more water main breaks this weekend, as we go from the twenties back up to a high of 36 degrees on Sunday, prior to the snowstorm arriving Sunday night.

Water main break in downtown Bethesda

Extreme temperature shifts over the last few days have brought predictable results in downtown Bethesda. Last night, an apparent water main break was visible at the intersection of Arlington Road and Bethesda Avenue. Water began pooling in that area as temperatures began dropping across the region early last evening. The mains under Bethesda Avenue have been a trouble spot for water utility WSSC frequently in recent years.

Water main break on Bethesda Avenue (Video + Photos)

A water main break occurred last night on Bethesda Avenue, between Arlington Road and Woodmont Avenue, in the area of Bethesda Row. Substantial pooling of water was evident, as well as a small gusher rising from the pavement. Temperatures have been unseasonably wide in variation over the last couple of weeks, with highs in the 70s often falling to lows near 40 degrees at night. Thus, it is not surprising to see water main breaks, even though they are more typical in winter months.

Water main break spawns sinkhole in Bethesda

A major water main break turned into a major sinkhole on Cromwell Drive in Bethesda, directly in front of Wood Acres Elementary School, on Tuesday. The sinkhole formed in the 5800 block of Cromwell, between Newington Road and Wiltshire Drive. In addition to causing a prolonged shutdown of the street in that area while a WSSC crew attempted to make repairs, the sinkhole blocked some residents into their driveways. This is, by far, the worst water main damage seen in the Springfield neighborhood in some time. It's fortunate no one was hurt or caught in their vehicle when this collapsed.

WSSC repairs Bethesda water main break (Photos)

A WSSC crew was dispatched last evening to repair a serious water main break at the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and Bethesda Avenue. The utility had to address dozens of such breaks across the region during the Siberian cold snap affecting the area over the last few days. Water streaming down Bethesda Avenue made it all the way to Bethesda Row, with slush and ice forming in the bikeway and travel lanes. Conditions were hazardous for pedestrians, drivers and cyclists alike, which I think got this repair prioritized higher on the WSSC's list as a result.

Water main break at Wisconsin and Bethesda Avenues (Video + Photos)

There is a water main break at the corner of Wisconsin Avenue (MD 355) and Bethesda Avenue in downtown Bethesda. With the current temperature at 16 degrees, there is a substantial amount of ice and frozen surface around and extending down Bethesda Avenue from the leak. There is also plenty of water still in a liquid form moving around the corner and down Bethesda. Use caution when driving, cycling or walking in this area.

Water main break on Rockville Pike at Cedar Lane in Bethesda

Update: 1:40 AM - WSSC reports 118 customers in Bethesda are affected by the water main break. They are moving equipment to the scene to begin repairs. Four southbound lanes and one northbound lane are now closed. Avoid!

A water main break at the intersection of Rockville Pike (MD 355) and Cedar Lane in Bethesda is generating standing water. Cars seem to be getting by for now, but you may want to avoid the intersection if you can by taking Old Georgetown Road.

I have heard no official announcement from WSSC yet. This could be a big issue if it's not fixed by rush hour this morning.

Water leak spilling onto Shops at Sumner Place in Bethesda (Photos)

A significant amount of water was leaking onto the property of the Shops at Sumner Place shopping center on Sangamore Road in Bethesda around 9:00 PM last night. It was streaming down from the stand-alone bank building in the parking lot toward the CVS Pharmacy, and then down behind the CVS via the gutter.

Initially, the source was unclear. A Montgomery County Police officer passing through the shopping center on patrol stopped to investigate. Using the light cannon on the police cruiser, the source was pinpointed as the Sumner Village condominium/apartment property adjacent to Sumner Place (a.k.a. Little Falls Mall).

Water was pouring down a grass incline that leads downward from a fence between the two properties. Eventually, a truck with a tank on the back arrived near the CVS, and appeared to be vacuuming up some of the water. It was not known if this was a WSSC contractor, or a private contractor just trying to protect the shopping center property.

A check of WSSC service alerts turned up no report of a water main break near that location. If a leak is on private property, WSSC usually directs the property owner to call a plumber.

Water station for WSSC customers at Cedar Lane and Rockville Pike after Bethesda water main break

The WSSC has set up a water station to provide water to customers at the Boy Scouts of America headquarters at Cedar Lane and Rockville Pike. About 250 customers remain without water after a 74-year-old water main broke under the Pike on Tuesday. The intersection will remain a traffic problem until the work is completed.

Photo courtesy WSSC

Water main break in downtown Bethesda (Photos)

A water main break at the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and Old Georgetown Road is affecting water service to some nearby customers.

The right southbound lane of Wisconsin is closed between Commerce Lane and Old Georgetown.

A WSSC worker says the location of the break has been found, and that repairs should be completed tonight.

WATER MAIN BREAK ON HAMPDEN LANE IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Another Bethesda water main break, this time on Hampden Lane near Arlington Road. A WSSC crew is on the scene to repair the pipe. It is best to avoid Hampden Lane in the meantime.

WSSC STILL WORKING ON BRADLEY BOULEVARD WATER MAIN BREAK IN BETHESDA (PHOTO)

The WSSC says 1 apartment building remains without water at this hour, as crews continue to repair a water main break at 4700 Bradley Boulevard. A 62-year-old 8" pipe is to blame, the utility says.

The current temperature in Bethesda is 26 degrees.

Photo via WSSC

BETHESDA WATER MAIN BREAK UPDATE (PHOTOS)

All lanes of MD 355 are expected to be open for rush hour this morning in downtown Bethesda. WSSC crews completed work on a water main break in the southbound lanes, between Woodmont Avenue and Battery Lane, last evening. Crews were at work on a nearby site, as well, in the 4700 block of Chestnut Street:

Photos by Jason Yang