Poolesville is not WSSC Water territory: the Town runs its own groundwater wells, its own sewer system and its own wastewater treatment plant, and Town Hall issues building and zoning permits. Plumbing and gasfitting permits still go through WSSC Water. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Poolesville.
Poolesville basics
Poolesville is a small historic town in western Montgomery County, ringed by, but not part of, the county's Agricultural Reserve. The median home dates to 1985, while the historic district along Fisher Avenue holds much older buildings. Town water comes entirely from wells drilled 285 to 800 feet into the New Oxford Formation aquifer; it needs only minimal treatment, with chlorine added for disinfection. The Town's enhanced-nutrient-removal wastewater plant on Beall Street treats the town's sewage and also flow from WSSC's Jonesville and Jerusalem service areas. The county plan lists Poolesville service as "Town and onsite systems", so some properties around town have their own wells and onsite wastewater systems. The Town's water quality report says its system has no lead mains or lead service lines, and owners whose line is marked unknown on the Town's inventory map can email Town Hall a photo of the incoming pipe.
What to do now
- Close the indoor shutoff. Most buildings have one where the service line comes in.
- Call the Town for street-side problems. For a main break, leak or sewer backup, the Town lists 240-286-3389 and 240-286-3359. Town staff can close the valve at the street connection; outside business hours a call-out fee applies.
- Gas smell? Leave the building, then call 911 and Washington Gas at 844-WASHGAS (844-927-4427), option 1.
- Ask about backflow. Before installing or testing an assembly, ask Town Hall (301-428-8927) what the Town requires.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Sinks and toilets slow across the building | Blockage in the building sewer before the Town main |
| Water heater rumbling or running short | Sediment buildup or a failing element or burner |
| Pump short-cycling at a farm or rural shop | Pressure tank or switch problem on a private well |
| Wet floor near an old fixture | Failed supply connection or drain seal |
Cost factors
- Town permits: Building/Zoning, Use and Occupancy and Utility Construction permits come from Town Hall
- WSSC Water Permit Services (301-206-4003) for plumbing and gasfitting work
- Work in older buildings in the historic district
- Private well and onsite system work on outlying parcels
- After-hours visits by the plumber, and by Town staff if the street valve is needed
Commercial Plumbing questions in Poolesville
How do we find out which utility supplies water to our building?
How often does a commercial backflow assembly need to be tested here?
Is there a town approval on top of the WSSC permit?
Who do we call when a main breaks or the sewer backs up outside?
More plumbing services in Poolesville
Commercial Plumbing nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
- Town of Poolesville: Water and sewer
- Town of Poolesville: Wastewater treatment plant
- Town of Poolesville: Permits and applications
- Town of Poolesville: FAQ
- Town of Poolesville water quality report
- Montgomery County Water and Sewer Plan, Chapter 1 (PDF)
- Washington Gas: Contact us
- Poolesville housing by year built (city-stats.com)
- Poolesville, Maryland (Wikipedia)
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