Pillar reference
DC Water Emergency Contacts & 24-Hour Numbers
The District's water-emergency contact directory: DC Water's 24-hour line for main breaks and sewer backups, 311 for street and storm-drain flooding, 911 for life-threatening emergencies, plus how to shut off water and report a problem.
This is the District’s water-emergency contact desk. The right number depends on what is happening and who is responsible for it. Use the directory below, then see the deeper pages for shutting off water and reporting a problem.
Who to call
DC Water — Emergency Command Center
24/7Water main breaks, sewer backups, no-water conditions, and public-side leaks.
DC 311 / OUC
24/7Street and storm-drain flooding, clogged catch basins, debris, and non-emergency city services.
Life-threatening emergency
24/7Person trapped by water, electrical hazard in standing water, gas leak, or any threat to life.
HSEMA / AlertDC
District emergency alerts and flood warnings. Sign up to be notified.
Match the problem to the number
| What’s happening | Call |
|---|---|
| Water gushing from the street or a hydrant; no water to the house | DC Water — (202) 612-3400 |
| Sewage backing up into a floor drain or basement | DC Water — (202) 612-3400 |
| Street or alley flooding; storm drain blocked | 311 |
| Person trapped, electrical hazard in water, or gas smell | 911 |
| You need to know before a storm | Sign up for AlertDC |
First moves
When water is actively entering a building, two logistics steps matter before anyone arrives: shutting off the water and documenting and reporting the problem. Those are covered step by step on:
- How to shut off your water in a DC home or apartment
- Reporting a water main break or sewer backup to DC Water
- The first-24-hours logistics checklist
Why DC basements back up
A large share of interior flooding in older parts of the District traces to the combined sewer system, where stormwater and sewage share the same pipes and heavy rain can force backups. The mechanics — and what the District is doing about it — are on DC’s combined sewer system & CSO events.
Frequently asked questions
What is DC Water's 24-hour emergency number?
Should I call 911 for a flooded basement?
Who do I call for street or storm-drain flooding in DC?
Sources & official references
- 01DC Water — Emergencies — 24-hour emergency line and report-a-problem tool.
- 02DC 311 / Office of Unified Communications — Non-emergency city service requests.
- 03HSEMA — AlertDC — Emergency alerts and flood warnings.
Phone numbers reproduced from official DC Water, OUC and HSEMA directories; verify before relying on them. Verified June 2026. · Last verified: