WSSC Water Support Center

What if clean water wasn’t simply a given? What if it was a hard-won battle, fought over decades? Right here, at the WSSC Water Support Center, that very battle has been waged, and won, for nearly two centuries. The WSSC Water Support Center, officially the Richard G. Hocevar Building, stands as a testament to the complex and often overlooked story of clean water in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, or WSSC Water, was born from necessity. In 1911, the District of Columbia cried foul. Literally. The streams feeding into the District were contaminated with waste from the surrounding counties. This posed a significant health risk. Thus began the push for a solution, leading to the formation of WSSC Water in 1918. WSSC Water didn’t start big. Initially, it served a mere 30,000 people. Today, it serves a staggering 1.9 million, managing a network of over 11,000 miles of water and sewer mains. The commission’s early work included purchasing the existing Takoma Park water system which drew water from Sligo Creek. To increase capacity, they ingeniously repurposed a filtration plant from Culpeper, Virginia, installing it along the Northwest Branch near Burnt Mills. This innovative recycling was a sign of things to come. Later, the Robert B. Morse Water Filtration Plant replaced the older system. A pipeline was constructed to bring water from the Patuxent River, and the Triadelphia Reservoir was built, opening in 1943. The WSSC Water story isn’t just about pipes and plants. It’s about visionaries like Abel Wolman, a world-renowned engineer involved in the initial surveys. Wolman, considered the father of modern sanitary engineering, pioneered chlorination techniques that revolutionized water safety by curbing waterborne diseases. His influence is woven into the very fabric of WSSC Water. Over the years, WSSC Water continued to grow, adding the Patuxent River Filtration Plant in 1944 and the T. Howard Duckett Dam and Reservoir in 1952. They also connected to the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant in Washington, D.C., a crucial partnership for wastewater management. Standing here, at the WSSC Water Support Center, you’re at the heart of this vital network. It’s a network that keeps the water flowing, ensuring the health and well-being of millions. It’s a story of foresight, innovation, and a constant commitment to clean water. It’s a legacy worth remembering.