Hartford County proposes budget for public water and sewer utilities operations

The Harford County Council held a public hearing on April 24, 2025, to discuss the proposed FY26 budget, focusing primarily on the county's public water and sewer utilities. The meeting highlighted the utility's critical role in providing high-quality water and sewer services to approximately 47,000 customer accounts, serving about half of the county's population.

The presentation began with an overview of the water system, which includes three advanced treatment plants capable of producing 12.6 million gallons of drinking water daily. This volume is equivalent to filling a typical water tank in the area 50 times each day. The water is distributed through 12 storage tanks and over 700 miles of underground piping. The sewer system, in turn, collects wastewater through approximately 750 miles of pipe and 55 pumping stations, treating the same volume of wastewater before returning it safely to local rivers.

Key financial aspects of the proposed budget were discussed, emphasizing the need to address rising costs associated with electricity, chemicals, and personnel. The budget aims to maintain a high level of service and system upkeep through various expenditures, including contractual services and equipment upgrades.

The budget details were broken down into several functional areas, starting with the Bureau of Water and Sewer Administration, which has a proposed budget of over $5 million, reflecting a slight increase due to adjustments in personnel and contractual services. The Bureau of Water and Sewer Engineering's budget is set at approximately $2 million, with increases attributed to salary adjustments and operational needs.

The Bureau of Water and Sewer Maintenance has a proposed budget of over $11 million, which includes increases for safety equipment and training. The Bureau of Water and Sewer Operations for water production is budgeted at about $15 million, with significant increases for electricity and necessary infrastructure repairs.

Finally, the Bureau of Water and Sewer Operations for wastewater processing has a proposed budget of over $23 million, reflecting increases in personal services and supplies, particularly for chemicals and equipment repairs.

The meeting concluded with an invitation for questions from the council members, indicating a collaborative approach to finalizing the budget. The discussions underscored the importance of the water and sewer utilities in maintaining public health and environmental standards in Harford County.