Howard County, MD Water Use Rules: Recycled Water Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Charge basis
- Metered reclaimed water volume multiplied by the adopted rate
- Rate adopted by
- County Council resolution with the annual budget
- Rate target
- Projected reclaimed system operation and maintenance costs, plus or minus surplus or deficit
- Billing
- Department of Finance, quarterly unless the Director of Finance says otherwise
- Late penalty
- Ten percent of unpaid charges after 30 days
- Falsification penalty
- Fine up to $500.00, up to six months in jail, or both
- Appeal window
- 30 days to the Board of Appeals
Summary
Howard County bills reclaimed water by the meter. Under Howard County Code § 20.605, the reclaimed water service charge is the metered volume drawn from the County's reclaimed water system multiplied by a rate. That rate is set to cover the system's projected operation and maintenance costs for the fiscal year, adjusted for any surplus or deficit and, where applicable, for State nitrogen credits.
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. ... 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 reclaimed water system for the upcoming fiscal year, plus or minus any reclaimed water service charge revenue surplus or deficit which the Director of Public Works projects for the current fiscal year. The rate may account for credits that the County receives from the State for nitrogen discharge. ... Computation of reclaimed water service charge. The reclaimed water service charge shall be computed by multiplying the reclaimed water service charge rate by the volume of metered reclaimed water taken from the reclaimed water system by a reclaimed water system user during a specified billing period.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 91 | Zoning: Supplement 25).
Full Breakdown
Reclaimed water in Howard County means treated wastewater treatment plant effluent that is recycled for nonpotable uses. It travels through waterlines, storage tanks and pumping stations that the County owns and operates (§ 20.600(n) and (o)). Section 20.605(1)(b) creates a reclaimed water service charge for the volume of metered reclaimed water taken from that system by a reclaimed water system user. It sits beside the water service charge and the sewer service charge, and § 20.601(1) names all three as the revenue sources that pay for running the public water system, the reclaimed water system and the public sewer system.
The rate is cost-based. Under § 20.605(2)(b), the reclaimed water service charge is calculated to produce revenue equal to the total projected operation and maintenance costs of the reclaimed water system for the upcoming fiscal year, plus or minus any surplus or deficit that the Director of Public Works projects for the current fiscal year. The rate can also account for credits that the County receives from the State for nitrogen discharge. Operation and maintenance costs include the cost of equipment needed to maintain design capacity and performance, and the cost of administering the subtitle (§ 20.600(j)).
The County Council adopts the rate schedule by resolution at the same time it adopts the annual budget and appropriation ordinance (§ 20.605(3)(a)). The rates in the schedule are uniform throughout the metropolitan district, and the only exception the section names is the sewer use surcharge. A schedule stays in effect until a new one takes effect (§ 20.605(3)(b)).
The math is a single step. Section 20.605(4)(b) multiplies the reclaimed water service charge rate by the metered reclaimed water volume for the billing period. Unlike the water service charge, which adds an account user charge and seasonal volumetric charges, the reclaimed charge as written is volume times rate with no added component.
The Department of Finance bills the reclaimed water charge quarterly unless the Director of Finance stipulates otherwise, and when only part of the charge revenue goes to operation and maintenance, the bill must show that portion (§ 20.605(4)(d)(1)). Separately, the Director of Public Works can charge a fee for connecting to the reclaimed water system. The County Council adopts that fee in the same manner as the water and sewer connection charges (§ 20.608(4)).
Violations & Fines
An unpaid reclaimed water bill draws written notice from the Director of Finance after 30 days from the billed date, plus a penalty premium of ten percent of the unpaid charges (§ 20.615(1)(a)(i)). The Director of Public Works then turns off the water to the property after written notice, and the charge and all penalties become a first lien collectible like property taxes. Knowingly falsifying data or evading reclaimed water service charges is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500.00, up to six months in jail, or both, and each day counts as a separate offense (§ 20.615(2)).
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the reclaimed water bill calculated in Howard County?
Who sets the reclaimed water rate and what is it based on?
How often does Howard County bill for reclaimed water?
Can I appeal a reclaimed water charge decision?
Who is responsible for paying if the property is rented?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Howard County
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