The City of Baltimore is a highly urbanized area with adequate infrastructure capacity to meet projected future demand for water and wastewater management. The City of Baltimore has the primary responsibility of providing water and wastewater service to the Baltimore Metropolitan area (for a Map of Water Distribution System Areas, see Exhibit B of the Water & Wastewater Master Plan). Chapter 539 of the Legislative Acts of 1924, known as the Metropolitan District Act, requires Baltimore City to furnish water to the Metropolitan District of Baltimore County at cost. Portions of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties are served by request and formalized in a series of agreements. The City also provides raw water to Harford and Carroll Counties. In order to meet anticipated environmental regulations and meet increasing demands for water, the City is continuously engaged in the planning and development of improvements to maintain the system in the sound physical condition through the Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) for the City’s water system.

While the City is essentially fully developed with access to water services, some areas within the City are currently vacant, underutilized, or outdated so rehabilitation, infill, or redevelopment can help repopulate them. LIVE EARN PLAY LEARN articulates a goal of increasing the City’s population by 10,000 households by 2012 by focusing on areas with high potential such as Growth Promotion Areas (See Chapter IX), Area Master Plans approved by the Planning Commission (Middle Branch, West Baltimore MARC, Park Heights), and Major Redevelopment projects spearheaded by Baltimore Housing and the Baltimore Development Corporation.

However, major urban expansion continues in the surrounding county areas and growth in water and wastewater demand is expected primarily from future development outside the City boundaries.

LIVE EARN PLAY LEARN has several strategies throughout the plan that are aimed at ensuring the adequate capacity of drinking water as well as higher quality of water bodies throughout the region (see Appendix A).

The City of Baltimore also has several initiatives that promote and encourage responsible water consumption as well as water quality protection. In 2007, Mayor Sheila Dixon launched the Initiative for a Cleaner, Greener Baltimore which seeks to:

Engage
Individuals, organizations, and businesses are in collaborative efforts to create a cleaner, greener city and, ultimately, a more sustainable city and region.

Educate
Residents, property owners, businesses, commuters, and students about the simple things each can do to make a difference in our city and region.

Recognize
Individuals and organizations who are leading by positive example in their communities.