Baltimore explores treated effluent reuse from Back River and Patapsco WWTPs for industrial cooling, irrigation, and street-cleaning applications. State permits under MDE and the Chesapeake Bay TMDL guide quality standards. Direct potable reuse is not currently authorized.
Maryland's Department of the Environment regulates recycled water under state water reuse guidelines tied to federal Clean Water Act and Chesapeake Bay TMDL obligations. Baltimore's two main wastewater plants (Back River and Patapsco) discharge highly treated effluent under EPA-overseen consent decree improvements. Reuse pilots focus on non-potable applications such as industrial cooling at the Port, street cleaning, and irrigation of parks and Green Network sites. Cross-connection rules under the MD plumbing code require purple piping and clear separation from potable systems. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation supports nutrient-reducing reuse approaches that lessen Bay loading.
Unauthorized cross-connection between potable and reclaimed systems carries plumbing code citations, immediate shutdown of the reuse line, and possible MDE enforcement actions including civil penalties.
Baltimore, MD
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Baltimore, MD
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See how Baltimore's recycled water rules rules stack up against other locations.
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