Howard County Department of Public Works

Howard County residents rely on consistent, high-quality municipal water. To ensure safety and reliability, our Bureau of Utilities conducts regular testing to meet rigorous standards, making these results accessible to all residents. This Annual Water Quality Report provides a crucial overview of our water sources, monitoring protocols, and safety measures for the water your family consumes.

Maintaining water quality is an ongoing commitment we take very seriously. This full-time endeavor involves numerous county professionals dedicated to ensuring residents have clean, safe water whenever they turn on their taps. We appreciate all staff members who maintain water availability and respond promptly during weather emergencies or other challenges.

Howard County residents continue to enjoy the highest quality municipal water in the region. Following the devastating flood in Ellicott City, our team was on-site immediately, restoring water safety to most affected areas by July 31, 2016. Our primary responsibility is ensuring essential water services operate continuously.

Our mission focuses on delivering high-quality, safe and dependable water to our valued customers. In partnership with our water suppliers, Baltimore City and the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, we strive for excellence in water supply management. We take infrastructure security seriously, ensuring our water systems receive proper funding and expert management according to the highest standards.

Howard County's water sources include surface water from the Liberty Reservoir on the North Branch of the Patapsco River and the Loch Raven Reservoir purchased from Baltimore City, plus surface water from the Patuxent River purchased from the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission. All water sources can potentially contain contaminants from natural or human-made origins.

As water travels over land or underground, it may collect substances including microbes, inorganic/organic chemicals, and radioactive materials from animal presence or human activity. All municipal water, including bottled water, typically contains trace amounts of some contaminants, though their presence doesn't necessarily indicate health risks.

Potential contaminants include:

• Microbial contaminants like viruses and bacteria from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants including salts and metals occurring naturally or resulting from urban runoff, wastewater discharges, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban runoff, and residential uses
• Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile compounds from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, urban runoff, and septic systems

To ensure tap water safety, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) establishes regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems. FDA regulations set similar limits for bottled water to provide equal public health protection.

The Maryland Department of the Environment has completed a Source Water Assessment for Baltimore City's water supplies. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

If you have questions about this report or your water service, please contact Howard County Utilities at 410-313-4900. Our employees work around the clock to deliver quality water to every tap. We ask all customers to help protect our vital water resources for our community, lifestyle, and children's future.

1. When are taxes due? Taxes are Due August 1, November 1, February 1, May 1
2. How do I get a copy of my tax bill? You can obtain a copy of your tax bill when logged into the online bill pay system through City Hall Systems. Enter your invoice information and click to view a copy of the bill. For additional questions, please contact the Treasurer/Collector's office at 978-356-6610.
3. Where can I pay my tax bills? Taxes can be paid at the Town Hall Treasurer/Collectors Office, online through the Online Payments page, mailed using the envelope provided with your invoice, or deposited after hours in the drop box located outside Town Hall.
4. How do I get a Beach Sticker? Beach stickers are available for purchase at the Treasurer/Collectors office, by mail, or online through the Online Payments portal. View additional information about Beach Sticker Policy, Regulations for Crane's Reservation, or Regulations for Horses on Crane's Beach.
5. How do I receive my beach sticker if I purchase one online? Beach stickers purchased online will be mailed via USPS within several days after purchase completion.
6. What should I do if I received an Excise Tax bill but no longer live in Ipswich? Contact the Assessors Office at 978-356-6603.
7. How do I change my mailing address on my Real Estate Tax bill? Please contact the Assessors Office at 978-356-6603.
8. How do I change the mailing address on my Excise Tax bill? Address changes for Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes must be processed through the Registry of Motor Vehicles.