Emergency Plumbing in Washington, DC, DC

Who to call in Washington, DC

Leaks on the street side of the water meter, a broken main or no water on the whole street are for the water utility: in Washington, DC that is DC Water. Check its website or your water bill for its emergency line.

Leaks, backups and failures on your side of the meter, inside the house or in your sewer lateral, are a plumber's job. Call us and we connect you with an independent, licensed plumbing company that handles emergency calls in Washington, DC; when they can arrive depends on that company and the time of day.

Reporting a water emergency in Washington, DC

• To report a water emergency in Washington, DC, such as a water main break or a sewer backup, DC Water says to call 202-612-3400 or use its online reporting system. DC Water also advises residents to shut off water and contact their landlord or superintendent and DC Water for instructions during an emergency. [3]
• During the busiest weeks, DC Water may have over 20 water main breaks at once in Washington, DC. It prioritizes repairs by severity of the break, impact to customers and the environment, potential damage to public and private property, and unsafe traffic conditions. Anyone seeing water running from streets or sidewalks can report it online, by calling (202) 612-3400, or tweeting @dcwater. [4]
• DC Water asks residents to report a water emergency or sewer backup immediately to its Water and Sewer Emergency Line at (202) 612-3400. If DC Water determines the main sewer is clear, the property owner must hire a registered master plumber, at their own expense, to clear the sewer lateral serving the property. [5]
• DC Water's emergency guidance says to report a water main break or sewer backup to DC Water at 202-612-3400. During an emergency, residents are told to shut off water, gas and electricity, and afterward to contact DC Water at the same number for instructions on flushing house water lines and checking that sewage lines are intact before flushing toilets. [3]

Other common plumbing calls in Washington, DC

• Drain Cleaning: old cast iron stacks in rowhouses and apartments narrow with buildup.

Washington, DC facts behind this page

• DC Water reports tap water hardness typically around 70 to 120 ppm (3 to 9 grains per gallon), peaking in warmer months. [1]
• The median home in Washington was built in 1960. [2]
• About 66% of Washington's housing units were built before 1980, the era of galvanized steel supply pipe, cast iron drains and clay sewer laterals. [2]
• To report a water emergency in Washington, DC, such as a water main break or a sewer backup, DC Water says to call 202-612-3400 or use its online reporting system. DC Water also advises residents to shut off water and contact their landlord or superintendent and DC Water for instructions during an emergency. [3]
• During the busiest weeks, DC Water may have over 20 water main breaks at once in Washington, DC. It prioritizes repairs by severity of the break, impact to customers and the environment, potential damage to public and private property, and unsafe traffic conditions. Anyone seeing water running from streets or sidewalks can report it online, by calling (202) 612-3400, or tweeting @dcwater. [4]
• DC Water asks residents to report a water emergency or sewer backup immediately to its Water and Sewer Emergency Line at (202) 612-3400. If DC Water determines the main sewer is clear, the property owner must hire a registered master plumber, at their own expense, to clear the sewer lateral serving the property. [5]
• DC Water's emergency guidance says to report a water main break or sewer backup to DC Water at 202-612-3400. During an emergency, residents are told to shut off water, gas and electricity, and afterward to contact DC Water at the same number for instructions on flushing house water lines and checking that sewage lines are intact before flushing toilets. [3]