DC-area residents report dozens of water main breaks, leaks

LAUREL, Md. (AP) — The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission says it's getting an extraordinarily high volume of calls for water main breaks and leaks in freezing temperatures.

In the past seven days, the commission says workers have responded to more than 160 calls about breaks and leaks in Montgomery and Prince George's counties. On Sunday alone, the commission says there were 75 broken water mains that needed repair.

Extra crews have been working around the clock to make repairs and restore service.

The commission is asking for customers to try to be patient, saying that response times are averaging more than four hours amid the high demand.

The commission says it's among the largest water utilities in the nation, with about 1.8 million residents using its services in Montgomery and Prince George's counties.