Plumbers in Woodbridge, VA

On the I-95 corridor south of the Occoquan

Woodbridge is a census-designated place in Prince William County, about 22 miles south of downtown Washington in a straight line, with 44,668 residents in the 2020 Census. It sits along I-95 and U.S. Route 1 where the Occoquan meets the Potomac, with Potomac Mills as its retail anchor and the Prince William Parkway and Gordon Boulevard carrying local traffic. The Woodbridge mailing address (ZIPs 22191 to 22193) also reaches Lake Ridge, Dale City, Marumsco and Belmont Bay, so the name on an envelope covers more ground than the CDP itself.

Two possible water utilities

Prince William Water, the former Prince William County Service Authority, supplies water and wastewater service to most of the county. Some parts of the Woodbridge postal area near Dale City are on Virginia American Water's separate Prince William system instead, so the name on your bill is the quickest way to know. Both systems get Occoquan Reservoir water treated at Fairfax Water's Griffith plant. Prince William Water rates its East and West systems as moderately hard, 3.5 to 7.0 grains per gallon (60 to 120 mg/L), which is mild enough that scale builds slowly. Virginia American Water's Prince William system uses chloramine, with free chlorine during its April-to-June flushing period.

For a main break or outage, Prince William Water's emergency dispatch is (703) 335-7990; customer service is (703) 335-7950 on weekdays.

Backflow testing

Under Prince William Water's cross-connection control program, owners of testable backflow prevention devices must have them tested by a certified backflow testing company when installed or repaired and every year after that, with results sent to the utility's Cross Connection Coordinator. The utility mails annual recertification notices, and questions go to (703) 335-8947.

Water heaters and county permits

Prince William County Development Services' Building Development Division, at 5 County Complex Court (703-792-6930), issues the permits. Installing a gas water heater, including a tankless unit, needs a county gas permit covering the gas piping and venting. A plumbing permit is added if water piping is extended more than 10 feet or the pipe material changes, and an electrical permit if a new circuit is needed. The median Woodbridge home dates to about 1987, so many original tank heaters and fixture valves have already been replaced once and are coming due again.

Gas safety

Prince William County says both Columbia Gas of Virginia and Washington Gas operate in the county, so check your gas bill to see which one serves your address. If you smell gas, leave the house first, then call 911 and your gas utility's emergency line from outside.

How it compares with the District

A DC home has one water and sewer utility, DC Water, and one permit office. A Woodbridge home may be on either of two water systems and gets permits from the county. When you call, give your neighborhood and the problem, and you will be connected with an independent plumber who sets price and timing with you.