WSSC Water Toasts Start Of $36.7M Water Quality Laboratory Expansion

• State-Certified Laboratory Expands to Meet Increased Demand for Water Quality Analysis
• Investment Ensures Another Century of Safe Water

WSSC Water General Manager and CEO Carla Reid today joined Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) Deputy Secretary Suzanne Dorsey, WSSC Water Commission Chairman Fausto Bayonet, Grunley Construction Company Vice President of Operations Bill Six and other officials to toast the start of a $36.7M project to expand and upgrade WSSC Water’s Laboratory in Silver Spring, Maryland.

More than 500,000 water quality tests are performed annually at the laboratory, constructed in 2001, including analysis of drinking water, source water, wastewater, stormwater, landfill effluent and biosolids samples. The existing facility was designed with future expansion in mind.

“WSSC Water is relentless about safety and excellence, with zero drinking water quality violations in our 104 years of service,” said Reid. “This $36.7M investment will enable us to ensure another century of safe water for our 1.9 million customers in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.”

During the past 18 years, WSSC Water’s Laboratory Division has experienced an increased analytical workload, number of employees and instruments, and additional functions. With new federal water-quality regulations on the horizon, like the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, the number of water quality analyses performed each year is expected to increase to more than 750,000 in the next 20 years.

“WSSC Water takes a proactive approach to protecting public health with state-of-the-art laboratory analysis to address contaminants,” said MDE Deputy Secretary Dorsey. “We are thankful for the strong partnership that MDE and WSSC Water share to protect Maryland's water.”

The expansion will add 19,720 square feet of workspace to the existing 27,193 square-foot facility. Once completed, the new expansion will be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certified under the U.S. Green Building Council rating system.

“In my seven years as a Commissioner, I’ve witnessed many new projects and seen the progress WSSC Water has made to ensure safe and satisfying water is delivered to the residents of Montgomery and Prince George’s counties every day,” said Commission Chairman Bayonet. “This laboratory expansion is a perfect example of looking forward to ensure that the same stellar service continues for centuries to come.”

Construction will start in summer 2022 and be substantially complete in spring 2024.

About WSSC
WSSC Water is the proud provider of safe, seamless and satisfying water services, making the essential possible every day for our neighbors in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. We work to deliver our best because it’s what our customers expect and deserve.