National Harbor Businesses Close Down, Prepare for Water Shortage

While parts of southern Prince George's County are bracing for a water shortage that could last up to a week, businesses at the National Harbor have decided to shut down for several days starting Wednesday.

Kent Digby, Senior Vice President of the National Harbor, estimated that 20,000 people could be affected by the closure per day, including employees, residents and hotel guests. He also estimated that the shopping and entertainment mecca might lose $300,000 per day due to the shortage. 

The National Harbor will be directly affected by a water shortage cause by a failing water pipeline that must be repaired along with dozens of other southern Prince George's County communities, according to Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission. 

››Please check this interactive map to see if you are in the affected area.‹‹

Angela Sweeney, a spokeswoman with the National Harbor, said businesses are operating normally Tuesday until 9 p.m. when the water restrictions will begin. 

"We anticipate the vast majority of retail, restaurants and hotels will likely be closed," Sweeney said. "We’re not going to shut down the roads or the harbor, but there are not going to be many things open."

"It’s certainly a busy time of year for us," Sweeney added. "It’s a peak season."

Joe Wilson, a superior court judge from Washington State, is a hotel guest at the Gaylord National Resort and Conference Center. Wilson said he found out about the closure after he and his wife came back from a day of calling legislators in DC. 

"Well they're kicking us out, so we have to find a room," Wilson said, "and we're flying out Thursday so I need a room for tonight and Wednesday night."

But displaced hotel guests do have options. Several Prince George's County hotels have rooms available, and one DC hotel chain is even offering a H20 discount.