Montebello I Reservoir Work May Temporarily Discolor Water in Lake

Green banner with DPW logo and text "Department of Public Works Press Release"

January 2, 2015 (BALTIMORE, MD) — Scheduled repair and maintenance work at the Montebello covered drinking water reservoir is under way, and may temporarily affect the color of water in Lake Montebello.

During the week of January 5, the Department of Public Works will drain, flush, and clean the covered reservoir in the 3900 block of Hillen Road. As a result of this work, deposits of lime and grit may be washed out of the reservoir and likely end up in the lake, which is designed to capture this type of debris.

This discharge may result in a white film or murky water in areas of the lake. Such discoloration is a normal part of the reservoir cleaning process and will eventually disappear. In no way will the work negatively impact the quality of Baltimore’s drinking water.

Related Stories

DPW to Start Trash and Recycling Collections at 5:00 a.m. During Summer Months Earlier Start Time Aims to Protect Workers from Extreme Heat –Seasonal Change Begins Tuesday, July 8

To protect sanitation workers from the dangers of extreme summer heat, the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) will begin trash and recycling collections one hour earlier—starting at 5:00 a.m.—beginning Tuesday, July 8. This seasonal adjustment will run through Tuesday, September 30, 2025.

DPW Offices and Sanitation Yards Closed for Independence Day

Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) Director Khalil Zaied reminds residents that Friday, July 4, 2025, is Independence Day, a City holiday. As a result, all DPW offices and sanitation yards will be CLOSED in observance of the holiday. There will be no trash or recycling collections on Friday, July 4. Collections will resume on the makeup day, Saturday, July 5, 2025. Additionally, there will be no street sweeping due to the holiday closure.

DPW Releases 2024 Water Quality Report

The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) today announced the release of its 2024 Water Quality Report, providing residents in Baltimore City and Baltimore County with important information about the quality of their drinking water.