Critical Customers

Essential Information:

What is a Critical Customer?

DC Water 'Critical Customers', as it relates to DC Water emergencies, are defined as consumers or service connections that are critical to community resiliency (public safety or health), or demand a large volume of water to sustain economic resiliency, or service a susceptible population such as and specific to Washington, DC:

  • First Responder Organizations / Police / Fire / EMTs
  • Hospitals / Medical Centers (including dialysis centers)
  • Local / Federal Government Facilities necessary for public safety / health
  • Mass Transit Stations
  • Nursing Homes / Assisted Living / Homeless Shelters
  • Potable Water Haulers
  • Power Provider
  • Public Shelters / Cooling Centers / Water Parks / Municipal Pools
  • Radio / TV Broadcast Centers
  • State / Local Emergency Management Agencies
  • Universities / High Schools / Elementary / Middle Schools / Preschool and Day Care Centers

Notifying all DC Water customers of a water or sewer emergency is one of our highest priorities, but specifically knowing where critical customers are and how to communicate with them assists the whole community in being resilient and in protecting susceptible populations. Emergency notifications are a time sensitive endeavor, and it is important for us to be able to contact critical customers quickly. Filling out the critical customer sign-up helps us by providing up to date locations and contact information for a crucial customer facility.

If you have any questions, please email the Office of Emergency Management at DCWater.OEM@dcwater.com.

Upcoming Meeting

Board of Directors Meeting

April 24, 2023

Monday 9:00 AM

Announcement

DC Water Officials with NPS and ANC commissioners doing ceremonial groundbreaking
DC Water Breaks Ground on Piney Branch Tunnel, Final Phase of DC Clean Rivers Project

Today, DC Water broke ground on the Piney Branch Tunnel, the final major tunnel in our Clean Rivers Project. This work will help keep sewage and trash out of local waterways and make Rock Creek, the Potomac River, and the Chesapeake Bay cleaner for our community.

When we finish the Piney Branch Tunnel, it will hold at least 4.2 million gallons of rainwater and wastewater during heavy storms. Instead of overflowing into Piney Branch, that water will go to the Blue Plains Water Resource Recovery Facility, where it will be treated.

Latest Blog Post
Five photos from the American Water Works Association (AWWA) ACE26 conference featuring panel discussions, technical presentations, networking, and attendees posing at the ACE26 display.
ACE26 Highlights: How DC Water Advanced the Conversation on Water
More than 80 DC Water employees joined thousands of water professionals in Washington, D.C., sharing expertise, building partnerships and advancing conversations that will help shape the future of water.
Upcoming Meeting
Date
July 13, 2026
Monday, 2:00 PM

Upcoming Events

Jul 23
Jul 25

Customer Service Center Announcement

Payment Plan Incentive: provides a credit back of 50% of the last 3 payments made. Eligible participants are residential customers who have had an outstanding balance for 60 days or greater and with an outstanding balance of $500 or more.