Maryland water pipe could return to use this weekend

A replacement water pipe sits at the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission sight were workers are removing dirt from around a defective 4-1/2 water main in District Heights, Md., Wednesday, July 17, 2013. Officials say at least 200,000 residents could temporarily be without water so that the pipe can be replaced.

Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission workers pump water from a defective 4-1/2 water main in District Heights, Md., Wednesday, July 17, 2013. Officials say at least 200,000 residents could temporarily be without water so that the pipe can be replaced.

A worker waits to distribute one-gallon jugs of water at Friendly High School, main in Fort Washington, Md., Wednesday, July 17, 2013. for residents of Prince Georges County who are affected by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission failing 54-inch water main. Officials say at least 200,000 residents could temporarily be without water so that the pipe can be replaced.

OXON HILL, Maryland — Water officials in Maryland say they hope to put a major water pipe back into service this weekend after repairs.

Work on the pipe has meant that hundreds of thousands of people in southern Prince George’s County have been under mandatory water restrictions since Tuesday evening. Officials originally said part of the county could be left without water for days during emergency repairs to the pipe, but workers were ultimately able to divert water to the area.

The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission said Thursday that a new pipe had been put in to fix the failing section of pipe. Officials said Friday they are waiting for the results of tests on water samples to confirm the water quality before putting the pipe back into service.