Baltimore officials are asking residents and businesses to conserve water as unusually low rainfall has diminished one of the region’s reservoirs to its lowest level in nearly 20 years.
The Liberty Reservoir in western Baltimore County is one of the major sources of drinking water for the region. But drought conditions have caused the water levels to fall.
To account for the reduction, Baltimore officials are drawing less water from Liberty Reservoir and more from Loch Raven Reservoir.
They are also encouraging residents and businesses to help by voluntarily using less water.
People are urged to take shorter showers; turn off the faucet while brushing teeth; only run full loads in dishwashers and laundry washing machines; postpone watering lawns and gardens; avoid washing cars, boats, and outdoor surfaces; and fix any leaks in faucets, hoses, and sprinklers.
Restrictions do not apply to drinking, cooking, hygiene, and other essential uses.
If you see running water in the street or suspect a watermain break, report the leak to your local municipality:
- Baltimore City: Call 311 or go to balt311.baltimorecity.gov
- Baltimore County: 443-263-2220 or 410-396-5352
- Howard County: 410-313-2200 or howardcountymd.gov/tell-hoco
- Carroll County: 410-386-2164 (day) or 410-848-4343 (after hours)
- Harford County: 410-612-1612 or harfordcountymd.gov/1737/You-Click-We-Fix
Baltimore may use water from its emergency backup supply in the Susquehanna River if conditions worsen. The water may taste slightly different, but it is safe to drink, officials said.
