The Baltimore Department of Public Works and various county officials have called upon residents and businesses throughout the region to begin voluntarily conserving water. With the Liberty Reservoir's levels plummeting to nearly the lowest in 20 years, and other regional sources like Loch Raven and Prettyboy reservoirs also on a downward trajectory, the situation is becoming critical. DPW is altering operations at the Montebello and Ashburton Water Filtration Plants to relieve the strained water sources, drawing less from the ailing Liberty Reservoir and leaning more on Loch Raven.
The public is being asked to actively reduce non-essential water usage to support these water conservation measures. Measures recommended by DPW include postponing lawn and garden watering, skipping car and boat washing, and swiftly repairing leaky faucets. According to a press release by the Baltimore Department of Public Works, "Leaks are one of the largest sources of water waste," hence the emphasis on residents to quickly report any signs of leaks or water main breaks to help mitigate reservoir draining.
Mayor Brandon M. Scott, projecting foresight into the water shortage issue, stated, "By taking collective action now, we are trying to mitigate the need for more stringent measures in the future." Baltimore Department of Public Works Director Khalil Zaied assured that the department is vigilantly monitoring the situation and will continually assess the rainfall and reservoir levels to ensure the long-term sustainability of the regional water supply.
Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Howard County, Carroll County, and Harford County residents are all encouraged to participate in water conservation and report any leaks. Various contact options, including phone numbers and online platforms, are available for reporting purposes in each district.
