On Tuesday, July 14, the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) will test the emergency water supply system as a proactive measure against prolonged drought conditions. Your drinking water will not be affected. Baltimore is testing critical infrastructure now to make sure the city i s prepared if drought conditions worsen. Testing will begin on Tuesday around 7:30 a.m. and finish around 5:30 p.m. The DPW will conduct this one-day test of the infrastructure and operating procedures used to get water from the Susquehanna River during severe drought conditions. This equipment test was planned to make sure Baltimore would be ready if conditions get worse later in the year. Screenshot via the Maryland Department of the Environment In May, the city issued voluntary water use restrictions because large areas of the state were under a drought warning. Drought conditions continue and reservoir levels are still at a historic low, but the city has not had to enact emergency measures. Baltimore City’s water system also serves parts of Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard counties. Baltimore is not using the Susquehanna River for drinking water right now. The city only does this during periods of severe drought, which has not happened in more than 20 years. The planned testing ensures that should conditions reach that point, systems and procedures are ready. During the test, water from the Susquehanna River will be pumped to Montebello Water Treatment Plant No. 1 to verify that the system operates correctly. The water will not be treated for drinking and will not even enter Baltimore’s drinking water distribution system. It will be diverted to Lake Montebello before it reaches the Montebello plant. (On Monday, July 13, Lake Montebello’s water level was lowered by around two feet to prepare for this test.) Lake Montebello is a scenic destination, popular with walkers, bikers, and people who want to enjoy the outdoors. Pedestrian access to Lake Montebello will remain open during the test. Visitors to Lake Montebello may notice some temporary changes, however, like lower water levels, a brown tint to the lake water, and a fish-like odor – not a sewage odor – that might last for up to 48 hours after the test concludes. These changes are expected and pose no risk to public health. They are temporary. Residents’ drinking water will not be affected at all during this test. The Susquehanna River water used during the test will not be treated and will not be delivered to homes or businesses in Baltimore City or Baltimore County. Baltimore’s drinking water will continue to come from Baltimore City’s reservoir system and be treated through normal operations. If future drought conditions ever require Baltimore to use Susquehanna River water as part of its drinking water supply, DPW’s treatment facilities are fully equipped to treat that water to meet all state and federal drinking water standards before it reaches customers. In the meantime, since conditions are still so dry, DPW encourages residents to curb their water use as much as possible. Skip watering lawns, take shorter showers, turn off the tap water when brushing your teeth, use commercial car washes that recycle the water instead of washing your own car, because everything helps. ...read more read less