Water Use Rules in Howard County, MD (2026)
2 rules for unincorporated Howard County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Recycled Water Rules
Howard County operates a separate reclaimed water system alongside its drinking water and sewer utilities, billing users a metered reclaimed water service charge under County Code § 20.605. The Department of Public Works sets connection standards for reclaimed water hookups under § 18.104(e), and the County Council adopts the rate annually by resolution.
Howard County Charges a Metered Reclaimed Water Rate
Some RestrictionsHoward County Code § 20.605(1)(b), (2)(b)
(1)(b)Reclaimed water service charge established. There is a reclaimed water service charge for the volume of metered reclaimed water taken from the reclaimed water system by a reclaimed water system user.(2)(b)Reclaimed Water Service Charge Rate. The reclaimed water service charge shall be calculated to result in revenue equal to the total projected operation and maintenance costs of the recla...
Leak Reporting Duty
Under Howard County Code § 18.106, the Director of Public Works may deny water service to any user who refuses to repair an outside water leak or refuses to let the Department fix or replace a faulty meter. The Director must give 30 days' written notice before cutting service, except where there's an imminent health and safety threat.
Howard County Can Cut Water Over Unrepaired Leaks
Some RestrictionsHoward County Code § 18.106
(a)Restriction on and Denial of Service. The Director of Public Works may restrict the use of the public water supply and may deny water service to a user:(1)Who fails to comply with use restrictions imposed by the Director, to conserve water, in response to an anticipated shortage in the public water supply; or(2)Who refuses to repair an outside water leak on the user's property or to allow th...
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