Annapolis, MD (June 3, 2026) – County Executive Steuart Pittman announced today that the sewer capacity moratorium for the Baltimore City Sewer Service Area has been lifted effective immediately.
Lifting the moratorium allows projects that are in the pipeline and ready to receive their allocations from the Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works (DPW) to move forward. At this time, three projects are ready to receive their allocations.
“Fully lifting this moratorium was the result of regional and intergovernmental cooperation that resulted in a capacity loan, using actual data to measure peak flow, and a major investment from our county in diverting flow away from the Patapsco Treatment Plant,” said County Executive Steuart Pittman. “I want to thank the county staff who have been dedicated to finding a solution, Maryland Aviation Administration Executive Director/CEO Shannetta Griffin, Baltimore Mayor Scott, Baltimore County Executive Klausmeier, Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary McIlwain, and Governor Moore for working with us to identify a regional solution that allows us to protect the Patapsco River while continuing to deliver the housing and the jobs that our region depends on.”
Anne Arundel County and the Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA) have signed a letter of intent that will allow the county to borrow unused wastewater treatment capacity from BWI Airport. The MAA has reviewed BWI Airport’s current usage, as well as their plans for the next five years, and is comfortable loaning Anne Arundel County capacity while the county continues its long-term work to build additional capacity for our systems.
“BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport is committed to being a good neighbor and a collaborative partner in Anne Arundel County,” said Maryland Aviation Administration Executive Director/CEO Shannetta Griffin. “We are proud to help support our local economy by temporarily making excess sewer capacity available. This agreement is an opportunity to advance responsible infrastructure planning and development.”
In addition to BWI Airport’s available capacity, the Maryland Department of the Environment has confirmed that the preferred method of estimating peak flow is to use actual data. Anne Arundel County’s actual peak flow measurements are lower than the peak flow calculation measurements that contributed to the capacity concern, providing the county with some additional peak flow capacity. DPW will also work with developers on ways to optimize capacity and short-term peak flow storage solutions for individual projects.
In his proposed FY27 budget, County Executive Pittman committed nearly $60 million of the county’s DPW utility fund to divert wastewater flow from Baltimore City’s Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plant to our own county facilities, building additional capacity for the region. The diversion alternatives are currently being evaluated, the plan will be completed in November 2026, and the design and construction are expected to be finished within four to five years.
The county also continues its work to upgrade the Linthicum/Shipley Pumping Station, implement operational improvements to optimize flow management, and prioritize capital projects that improve infiltration and inflow. While the moratorium is fully lifted, continuing this work to increase the region’s capacity is essential to bettering our shared wastewater system, protecting our waterways, and providing the infrastructure needed to keep up with the demand for housing and economic growth.