By expanding water access in underserved areas, St. Mary’s County is backing up the work of local fire departments and reducing risks for residents.
St. Mary’s County has installed a second 30,000-gallon water storage tank to bolster fire protection and improve emergency response in areas without public water service.
The new tank, placed at the Ridge Firehouse carnival grounds on September 25, is part of a multiyear capital project led by the Department of Public Works & Transportation in partnership with local fire departments.
The initiative involves installing large tanks and dry hydrants in isolated areas of the County where firefighters cannot rely on public water systems. The St. Mary’s County Metropolitan Commission is providing the initial filling of the tanks at no cost to the project.
“These water tanks and hydrants provide a critical resource for our fire departments in areas that do not have public water service,” said Jennifer Utz, Director of the St. Mary’s County Department of Emergency Services. “The County is committed to supporting our emergency responders and ensuring our residents have the resources they need to stay safe.”
The tanks, each measuring 10 feet wide by 54 feet long, are being placed based on input from fire department planning teams and property availability. The first was installed earlier this year at the Porto Bello Subdivision in Callaway, and the next will go in at the Avenue Firehouse in the 7th District.
