The Baltimore City Department of Public Works, in coordination with Baltimore, Harford, Howard and Carroll counties, lifted the voluntary water restrictions for the metro area.
The restrictions were originally put in place May 8 due to historically low water levels at Liberty Reservoir, one of the region’s primary drinking water sources.
Thanks to record-setting rainfall in May — the wettest May since 2018 — water levels at the Liberty, Loch Raven and Prettyboy reservoirs have significantly rebounded to near-normal seasonal levels, according to DPW. The improved conditions have allowed DPW to remove the voluntary restrictions across the entire service area.
“While restrictions are no longer needed, water is a vital and limited resource. We must continue to practice water-efficient habits every day to ensure our water system remains resilient,” Steve Sharkey, interim head of the Bureau of Water and Wastewater, said in a statement.
Liberty Reservoir had reached its lowest level in nearly 20 years in May, prompting proactive action from DPW. Operational adjustments at the Montebello and Ashburton water filtration plants reduced the draw from Liberty and increased reliance on Loch Raven Reservoir. Voluntary restrictions were applied regionwide, including Baltimore City and neighboring counties, to conserve supply.
Even with water levels restored, DPW urges continued responsible water use to support long-term sustainability and reduce household bills.
There are several ways to conserve water, such as delaying lawn and garden watering when possible, turning off the tap while brushing teeth or shaving and fixing leaks in faucets, toilets, hoses and sprinklers.
In addition, residents could help with the potential water shortages by running dishwashers and washing machines only with full loads, sweeping driveways and sidewalks instead of using a hose and watering plants early in the morning or late in the evening to reduce evaporation
Baltimore City water customers are also encouraged to use DPW’s Self-Service Water Bill Portal to track real-time usage and manage bills more effectively.
“The Baltimore region once again stepped up for the greater good. I want to thank everyone who made adjustments to help protect our water supply,” DPW Director Khalil Zaied said in a statement. “Let’s continue to be good stewards of our environment and keep these conservation habits going strong to alleviate any future strains on our system.”
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