Establishing the First Reclaimed Water System for Industrial Customers in Howard County, Maryland

Innovative solutions to complement water supplies are being pursued as growth in development corresponds to increased water demand. One solution is to establish a reclaimed water system for customers requiring substantial, constant water supply. Howard County, the hub of the expanding Baltimore-Washington, D.C. region in central Maryland, has initiated the construction of a reclaimed water main within a thriving business development for the state's first reclaimed water system for industrial customers. State regulations to reduce nutrient discharge into the Chesapeake Bay drove the County to assess whether a reclaimed water system can cost-effectively meet nutrient discharge requirements while also increasing water supplies for future water demands. Planning obstacles for the water system included the absence of federal and state regulations, lack of established rates, and attracting initial customers. Howard County has recognized the cost-effectiveness of a reclaimed water system and is positioned as a reliable water supplier for industrial customers.