Today, the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) continued assessing conditions at the Cromwell Pumping Station following Thursday’s fire to determine what repairs are needed to place the facility back in service. The Thursday morning fire caused the drinking water pumping station to lose power, damaging two pumps and placing a strain on the entire water system.

Residents and businesses are urged to continue adhering to the Voluntary Water Restriction Notice issued Thursday night to reduce their excessive water usage. This system-wide voluntary water conservation request remains in effect for Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Howard County.

Today, it was determined that Harford County, which buys untreated water from the City of Baltimore, does not need to follow the voluntary water restriction notice.

“DPW and the entire Scott Administration remain committed to keeping residents and businesses informed. DPW will publicly share updates as new information becomes available,” said Interim DPW Director Richard J. Luna.

Ways to Save Water
Residents and businesses across the entire region are encouraged to take voluntary steps to reduce their personal water usage like:

• Avoiding watering lawns and gardens
• Avoiding washing cars, vehicles, boats, or other outdoor equipment
• Avoiding washing outdoor surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, parking areas, and patios
• Not letting the faucet flow unnecessarily while brushing your teeth or shaving
• Using the proper water level or load size selection on the washing machine
• Running the dishwasher only when full and avoiding pre-rinsing dishes
• Running full loads of laundry, versus smaller loads
• Repair or replace leaking hoses and sprinklers

Important note: the current request for ‘voluntary water restriction’ does not include any need to limit normal water usage for drinking, cooking, or cleaning.

Updates regarding the progress of repairs and any changes to the incident will be provided through official channels, including the Mayor’s and DPW’s social media platforms, and local news outlets. Additional information on ways to conserve water is available on the Maryland Department of the Environment website.