It has come to RECA’s attention that there has been an ongoing series of serious sewage damage to homes in Regency Estates. They are the result of the aging sewer lines beneath us owned by WSSC and their activities. We are concerned that damage to resident homes will continue to happen unless a robust solution is put in place by WSSC.
We’d first like to share a very recent example of destruction caused by WSSC activities that have affected several neighbors on the same street. Then we’d like to ask that others who have experienced WSSC sewage backup issues to please share your address, date(s) of occurrence, and concise description of your issue(s) so that we may compile and timely share this information with WSSC so they are aware of the gravity of the situation. We will request that they address our concerns in a virtual community meeting. In the interim, we want our community to know what the reporting and claims process is for sewage backup issues caused by WSSC in case that should happen to any of us.
First-hand Account from a Regency Estates Neighbor
On the evening of Feb. 26, 2024, five homes on Enid Drive experienced substantial basement flooding of sludge-filled sewer water backing up into their basements from floor drains and lower-level toilets. Another RECA homeowner on Milbern Drive described similar basement event in January 2024. One affected neighbor shared their stressful clean-up process, at seven-person clean-up crew deployed home the WSSC contractor. The work for eight hours to several-day clean-up process as remove contaminated personal property, cabinetry, furniture, sections of dry wall, doors, carpets, floor tiles, and more. Large water vacuums, multiple applications of biocontainment/disinfectant, and mold abatement procedures were before installing large fans, air purifiers and dehumidifiers in attempt to hasten drying and reduce the smell of sewage. Next came the process of filing claims, getting estimates from contractors to repair interior structural damage, planning for the construction mess, and continuing to deodorize the home in anticipation of the warmer weather.
Several neighbors have experienced these unfortunate incidents multiple times. The back-up appears to the result of WSSC’s “routine” high pressure water jets used to remove tree roots in main sewer lines under street that forces sewer contents up the lines into our basements. While we understand for routine procedures, these resulting destruction is not ok. This periodic, serious interruption should not to be considered routine events to WSSC.
WSSC Reporting and Claims Process
When a sewage backup occurs, please know that there is a reporting and claims process through WSSC where they will investigate these lines in question, and of determined at-fault, are responsible for repairing line, the cleaning affected areas of home, repairing and/or replacing damaged property/value as well as household items. Please click the link below to view WSSC’s emergency contact number and step-by-step process guide:
https://www.wsscwater.com/claims
Latest Update (May 2025)
RECA met with WSSC in mid May 2025 to discuss updates since the December 2024 meeting. Major milestones have been achieved, including adding Regency Estates to the overall master rehabilitation project. Key points of that meeting are captured in a presentation to RECA here.
Latest Update (February 2026)
WSSC held a community meeting to discuss updates, share the timeline, and what to expect during the duration of the sewer rehabilitation project. Please click on the links to view the presentation and recording of the meeting.
