Community Corner

Where to Shower in Prince George's County

The facility will decide later today if it will remain open as thousands of residents are losing water.

When it’s 100 degrees and water's scarce and you really, really want a shower, where do you go?

In the past, when the electricity has been out or the water stopped flowing, the YMCA has offered its showers to residents in need of a nice hot – or cold – shower.

In Prince George’s County, upwards of 200,000 residences and businesses were told Tuesday that they would be losing will losing water for days, beginning Wednesday. And the Potomac Overlook YMCA was at risk of running dry. 

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The facility closed its doors Wednesday, in anticipation of the water shutting off, but it will reopen Thursday, according to spokesperson Jackie Dilworth. 

“We’ll be operating as planned unless any other news develops out of WSSC,” the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, she said.

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Water restrictions began Tuesday, with residents in the county forbidden from watering lawns and encouraged not to use their washing machines and dishwashers.

The restrictions were put in place after the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission announced that a portion of a 54-inch water main was in imminent danger of failing and needs to be repaired.

On Tuesday, Scott Peterson, spokesman for County Executive Rushern L. Baker III, estimated 150,000 to 200,000 people could be without water. 

The next day, WSSC’s CEO said they’d “diverted a major disaster,” and that, although water restrictions would need to stay in place for several days, taps would not run dry

The restrictions will affect residents in Morningside, Hillcrest Heights, Camp Springs, Forest Heights, Temple Hills, and Oxon Hill. 

In the meantime, if you need a shower, the county has opened two “reception” centers and a shelter for people to cool off:

  • Reception Centers: Stephen Decatur Middle School (8200 Pinewood Drive in Clinton) and Friendly High School (10000 Allentown Road in Fort Washington) will be open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
  • 24-hour shelter: Wise High School at 12650 Brooke Lane in Upper Marlboro starting Tuesday night. Additional shelters may be open if there is a need.

For University of Maryland faculty, staff and students, the school is offering shower facilities daily at the Eppley Recreation Center (6 a.m. – 10 p.m.); Ritchie Coliseum (6 a.m. – 8 p.m.); and the University Golf Course (6 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.). Water filling stations are available at the Adele Stamp Student Union, the Visitor Center, the North Campus Diner and South Campus Dining Hall.

County pools in areas unaffected by the water shortage will remain open and residents can enter free of charge to beat the heat. 


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