Baltimore to blend Susquehanna River water with reservoirs as drought drains supply
By Hannah Hoffman
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BALTIMORE (WBAL) — Drought conditions are depleting water reservoirs, so Baltimore City is outsourcing its water.
However, the Baltimore City Department of Public Works doesn’t need to go too far. The DPW tested a system in July to blend water from the Susquehanna River with water from the city’s reservoirs.
While the arrangement isn’t new, it hasn’t been used in some 20 years.
The river water will be added to the city reservoir supplies and treated before it’s sent to customers starting later this month or in early October.
Because river water has more sediment and organic materials, customers could notice some taste differences and color differences. Any changes are expected to be minimal to unnoticeable.
Not all city water customers will receive the blended river water. Those who get their water from the Montebello Water Plant will receive the river-water blend, which includes customers in East Baltimore and Baltimore County.
Areas on the Liberty system — including West Baltimore and parts of Howard and Carroll counties — aren’t expected to get blended water.
The exact start date will depend on reservoir conditions, which will also dictate how long the city uses water from the Susquehanna.
There is still a voluntary water restriction in effect, so customers are asked to limit water usage, which can include cutting back on watering lawns, taking shorter showers and repairing leaky faucets.
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