Anne Arundel has completed long-awaited upgrades to its water infrastructure – giving every County resident access to County-treated water, and ending dependence of parts of the county on Baltimore City’s water system.

The upgrades began in 2007, with construction of major water transmission mains along the east Broadneck and Crofton/Odenton corridors. Major upgrades also included the expansion of two water treatment plants, the Crofton Meadows Water Treatment Plant to 15 millions of gallons per day in 2011 and the Arnold Water Treatment Plant to 16 million gallons per day in 2012.

Stated County Executive Steve Shuh:

Today is an historic day for Anne Arundel County, and marks yet another example of our transformation from a small, rural backwater county to a major jurisdiction in our state. Becoming a jurisdiction with a autonomous, self-sustaining water infrastructure system is a major step forward and an incredible sign of progress.

From the County’s press release:

Given the previous costs of purchasing water from the Baltimore City, these upgrades will save Anne Arundel County $8.5 million annually and help ensure a reliable, state-of-the-art-water treatment system.  Baltimore City will continue to provide an emergency water connection if needed.