Most of Potomac is on WSSC Water, but Montgomery County designates some properties for private wells and onsite wastewater systems instead of public service, and those homes depend on a working pump, pressure tank and switch. If your well has stopped or is acting up, a plumber can diagnose it. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Potomac.
Potomac grew from farm country into an affluent suburb around Potomac Village, where Falls Road meets River Road, and older farmhouses still sit among the subdivisions. Montgomery County gives every property a water category (W-1 to W-5) and a sewer category (S-1 to S-5), and some of those categories are meant for owner-maintained wells. That mix is why a Potomac well pump call is more likely than one from Bethesda or Silver Spring, even though most homes here pay a WSSC bill.
What to do now if the water stops
- Check the breaker or disconnect for the well pump. If it has tripped, reset it once. If it trips again, leave it off, since a shorted motor or wire is the likely cause.
- Read the pressure tank gauge. A reading near zero with the breaker on suggests the pump is not delivering water.
- Listen at the pressure switch. Constant on-off clicking points to a waterlogged tank; silence with low pressure points to the switch or pump.
- Stop using water so you don't run a struggling pump dry.
- If you are on WSSC water and the street is affected, call WSSC Water's emergency line at 301-206-4002.
What the symptom usually means
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| No water, breaker tripped | Motor, wiring or capacitor fault |
| No water, breaker fine | Pressure switch, control box or failed pump |
| Rapid clicking at the tank | Pressure tank has lost its air charge |
| Pump runs with taps closed | Leak in the system or a stuck check valve |
| Sputtering faucets | Low water level in the well or a split drop pipe |
| Weak flow on WSSC water | Pressure-reducing valve or service line leak |
What affects the cost
Above-ground parts like a pressure switch, gauge or tank are the least involved repairs. Pulling a submersible pump means lifting the pipe and wire out of the well, which takes equipment and time, and deeper wells cost more to service. Electrical work at the control box, a new tank sized for the household and any trenching for a buried line all add to the job. On WSSC-served lots, the cost runs on the same logic as any service line or valve repair. Plumbing permits in Montgomery County go through WSSC Water Permit Services, and your plumber can confirm whether the work needs one. Potomac's median home dates to 1977, so original tanks and switches on older well setups are often due.
Well Pump Repair questions in Potomac
How do I find out whether my property is set up for public water or a private well?
Why does the pressure switch click on and off every few seconds?
What happens to my water when the power goes out?
Can a plumber handle a submersible pump, or do I need a well driller?
More plumbing services in Potomac
Well Pump Repair nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
Last updated: