Public Works Director Alfred H. Foxx today announced that DPW’s use of advanced electronic technologies for inspecting large water mains has been instrumental in helping the Department to spot a potential water main failure on the 54 inch Southwest Transmission Main which runs from the Ashburton Water Filtration Plant to Howard and Anne Arundel counties. Indications are that a potential failure could occur on a 16-foot section of this main near Whistler and Wilmarco Avenues on vacant railroad property in SW Baltimore City. The main is being constantly monitored and valves have been partially closed to reduce the stress on it.

Prior to any repairs on our water main, Baltimore City and our partners in Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Howard counties will be testing the system tomorrow to ensure area customers will receive adequate water supply once repairs commence. If the 48-hour test is successful, immediate excavation to replace three 16-foot sections of 54” diameter main will begin.

To aid this effort, Director Foxx is asking Baltimore citizens to immediately begin taking conservation steps. Our neighbors in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County and Howard County will be making similar announcements.

Director Foxx stated: “We must be as proactive as possible to avoid catastrophic incidents such as occurred in Dundalk and Halethorpe in 2009. It is our duty to use the best technologies to reveal possible water main weaknesses and to stop them before they can harm people and property. This is an investment in public safety.”

During the initial operation of some valves, a very temporary service interruption could occur for up to an hour. The approximate boundaries for that are Wilkens Avenue on the north, I-195 on the west, I-895 on the south, and just to the west of Cherry Hill and Carroll Park on the east. A smaller area in the Brooklyn and Curtis Bay communities along 6th and Church streets is also included. This does not mean that conservation is limited to these areas but is called for system-wide, except for Carroll County which receives unfinished water directly from Liberty Reservoir.

We anticipate very minimal reduction in water pressure during this process if we conserve. If citizens do experience a disruption they can call 311 within Baltimore City and 410-396-5352 outside of the city limits.

Using submerged electromagnetic wave technologies and an acoustic fiber optic monitoring system, the City has the ability to actively manage its critical infrastructure in a safe and cost-effective manner.

Suggested Conservation Measures

Please refrain from outside watering, car washing, power-washing or pool-topping until after sunset or during the early morning hours.

Please do not wash clothes or dishes, or do non-essential cleaning using water until late in the evening or very early in the morning.

Use clothes washers and dishwashers only with full loads.

Short showers use less water than filling the tub for bathing.

Report open hydrants.

Use Water Wisely.

For more information about this project and the technologies used please call 410-545-6541