Abingdon Water Treatment Plant to Temporarily Switch Supply Source to Susquehanna River

From Harford County Government:

(Bel Air, MD) – – The Harford County Department of Public Works’ Water & Sewer Division will temporarily switch water sources at the Abingdon Water Treatment Plant (AWTP) from the usual supply originating at Loch Raven Reservoir to the Susquehanna River.

The switch will occur during the evening of Monday, November 18. DPW will start treating the Susquehanna water through the AWTP on the morning of Tuesday, November 19.

Once the switch has occurred, some customers may notice a slight difference in the taste. This is due to natural differences in water from one source to another. Customers will not experience any disruption of service and the water will continue to meet federal and state drinking water standards.

The reason for the switch is that Baltimore City is testing new pumps, drives, and controls at their Deer Creek Pumping station, installed as part of an upgrade to the station. The test will last approximately one week, after which the water source will gradually transition back to Loch Raven over the following two weeks.

Typically the AWTP supplies approximately 70 percent of the total county water supply with the rest coming from the Perryman well field and the Susquehanna River at Havre de Grace. This is the fifth time DPW has treated Susquehanna River water at the AWTP. The first time was when the plant opened in 1994. Susquehanna River water was used at AWTP in 1999, 2002, and 2007 because of drought conditions.

Citizens with any questions may contact Joel Caudill, Deputy Director of Public Works, at 410-638-3159.