Who to Call for a Street Leak?

Useful Resources for Montgomery County Residents

Seeing water bubbling up through the asphalt, running along the curb, or pooling near a manhole can be stressful. Is it a broken water main? A leaking service line from your home? An underground spring? And most importantly—who do you actually call first in Montgomery County, MD?

Below I’ll walk you through a simple decision guide for street leaks in areas like Gaithersburg (20878), Rockville, Germantown, North Potomac, Darnestown, Montgomery Village, Potomac (north), Derwood, Kentlands, and Washington Grove, so you don’t lose time calling the wrong number.

Step 1: Is anyone in immediate danger? (If yes, call 911)

Before you worry about which utility or plumber is responsible, look at safety:

• Is the road washing out, creating a sinkhole or visible collapse?
  
• Is water flowing into live electrical equipment or causing vehicles to lose control?
  
• Is flooding threatening homes, basements, or blocking emergency access?
  

If there is any immediate danger to people or property, call 911 first so fire/rescue and police can secure the scene and coordinate with the water utility.

After that, you (or they) can move on to contacting the right utility.

Step 2: Public main vs. private line – where is the leak?

In Montgomery County, most public water and sewer infrastructure is owned and operated by WSSC Water, the regional utility that serves Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. montgomerycountymd.gov

A simple way to think about it:

• Street, sidewalk, or near a hydrant:
  Likely on the public side (water main or public appurtenance).
  
• Between the street and your house, near where the service line runs:
  Could be on the private side (your water service line) or very close to the property boundary.
  
• Wet spots or seepage on private property only:
  Often a private leak or even a natural spring; if there’s a chance it’s a water service leak, WSSC may still want you to call their customer service to help sort it out. www3.montgomerycountymd.gov
  

If you’re not sure, assume it might be a utility issue first—you won’t be charged for making a report, and they’ll tell you if the leak is on your side.

Step 3: Who to call for a street leak in Montgomery County

1. Suspected water main break or water leak in the street

If you see running water in the street, water bubbling from pavement, or smell chlorine outdoors, the recommended action is to call WSSC Water’s Emergency Services Center:

• WSSC Water Emergency (water main break / leak):
  301-206-4002 (24/7) wsscwater.com+2wsscwater.com+2
  

You can also report it through the WSSC Water mobile app using the “Report a Problem” feature, but for obvious leaks, a phone call is usually fastest. wsscwater.com+1

Tip: When you call, be ready with a nearby address, landmarks, and where exactly you see the water (middle of street, curb, around a hydrant, etc.).

2. Suspected sewer issue in the street

If you see sewage or very dirty water coming from a manhole, or multiple homes are experiencing simultaneous sewer backups, you should also contact WSSC Water’s emergency line:

• WSSC Water Sewer Emergency:
  Same number: 301-206-4002 (water and sewer emergencies use the same emergency center). wsscwater.com+1
  

Again, call 911 if there is a health hazard, traffic danger, or if sewage is flowing into public spaces where people may be exposed.

Step 4: When it’s not the utility – your responsibility and who to call

After WSSC Water investigates, they will decide whether the leak is on their side (public main, hydrant, public sewer) or on yours (service line on private property).

If they determine the leak is on the property side, the repair usually becomes the homeowner’s responsibility. That’s where a local, licensed plumber like Quince Orchard Plumbing comes in.

Common situations where you’ll need a plumber:

• A leaking water service line between the curb and your home
  
• Persistent wet spots in your yard, even when the weather is dry
  
• Very high water bills without obvious indoor leaks
  
• Soft ground or small sinkholes near the water line path
  

For these situations, you’ll want a team that handles diagnosis and repair of buried water lines:

• Water Line Repair – locate and repair leaks on the service line that runs from the street to your home:
  Water Line Repair
  

If the leak has caused or been accompanied by drainage or sewer problems, we may also recommend:

• Video Camera Sewer Inspection – to check for damage, intrusion, or misalignment in your sewer lateral.
  
• Sewer Line Repair & Replacement – if the sewer line is cracked, collapsed, or heavily infiltrated.
  

And if there’s concern about cross-connections or backflow (for example after line work or pressure changes), we can inspect and service your protection devices:

• Backflow Prevention Services
  

Step 5: What you should (and shouldn’t) do while you wait

Do:

• Take photos and short videos of what you see (water patterns, bubbling, any damage).
  
• Note the time, weather, and if the flow changes (stronger, weaker, stops when others stop using water).
  
• If WSSC or first responders tell you to reduce usage, follow any “essential use only” guidance to help stabilize system pressure. The MoCo Show+1
  

Don’t:

• Don’t start digging in the street or at the property line. That’s dangerous and can violate regulations.
  
• Don’t try to operate hydrants or public valves. That’s strictly utility territory.
  
• Don’t ignore muddy or cloudy water coming from multiple taps in the neighborhood after a break; follow WSSC’s flushing and boil-water instructions if they issue advisories. wsscwater.com+1
  

Simple Decision Guide (Screenshot-Friendly)

You see water in the street, at the curb, or around a hydrant:

1. Any danger (sinkhole, traffic hazard, electrical risk)?
   → Yes: Call 911, then WSSC Water Emergency (301-206-4002).
   → No: Call WSSC Water Emergency – 301-206-4002 and report what you see.
   
2. WSSC says it’s on your property side (service line leak):
   → Call Quince Orchard Plumbing for Water Line Repair.
   
3. You also have sewer backups or slow drains at home:
   → Ask us for a Video Camera Sewer Inspection and, if needed, Sewer Line Repair & Replacement.
   
4. You’re worried about backflow or cross-connection after work has been done:
   → Schedule Backflow Prevention Services.
   

Service Area for Quince Orchard Plumbing (Maryland Only)

We provide water line and related plumbing repairs across:

Gaithersburg (20878), Rockville, Germantown, North Potomac, Darnestown, Montgomery Village, Potomac (north), Derwood, Kentlands, and Washington Grove, typically within about a 13-mile radius of Gaithersburg.

If you’re just outside these areas, call and we’ll confirm whether we can assist directly or refer you to the right resource.

Final Thoughts

When you see a street leak in Montgomery County, you’re dealing with a shared responsibility:

• The utility (WSSC Water) handles the public mains and hydrants.
  
• You, as the homeowner, are typically responsible for the service line on your property.
  
• A licensed local plumber makes sure your side of the system is safe, code-compliant, and watertight.
  

Knowing who to call—and in what order—turns a stressful situation into a manageable one.