November 26, 2013 (BALTIMORE, MD) — On or about Monday, December 2, 2013, the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) will begin testing a new pumping system at our Deer Creek facility, located in Harford County near the Susquehanna River. These tests will involve reopening a 108” diameter pipeline and sending water to the wash lake on the Montebello I plant grounds and then to Lake Montebello. This water has been sitting in a closed section of the Susquehanna Pipeline and must be drained. Fresh water from the Susquehanna River will then enter the pipeline and flow southward to Montebello.

When this happens there will possibly be a dark plume in the lake and some minor odors from the water that had been in the pipe for several years. This should dissipate after a few days. Recreational activities around Lake Montebello will not be impacted by this project.

The Deer Creek Pumping Station, constructed in conjunction with the Susquehanna Pipeline (“The Big Inch”), was completed in 1966. Since January 2011, this facility has undergone a major rehabilitation which included new pumps and new motors. The project also involved comprehensive upgrades in electrical power supply and distribution, installation of new controls, PC-based instrumentation and new flow measurement. The total cost was approximately $25 million.

During times of drought water is pumped from the Susquehanna, through this main, and blended with Loch Raven water at Montebello Water Filtration Plant I. In addition, this main provides raw water to a large part of Harford County where it is treated at their Abingdon Water Filtration Plant.

For more information please call 311 or go to cleanwaterbaltimore.org.