This pause is driven by a shift from Average Daily Flow to more rigorous, conservative Peak Flow safety metrics that is required to uphold Anne Arundel County's 50-year-old interjurisdictional agreements. While we work toward long-term infrastructure solutions, our priority remains preventing system overloads and ensuring reliable service for all current residents.
On March 10, 2026, County Executive Pittman and the Department of Public Works (DPW) delivered a comprehensive briefing during the County Council Work Session. Please review the presentation, which outlines the current moratorium capacity and infrastructure data in great detail.
County Executive Pittman shared the following statement: “County staff exhausted every available option to avoid a moratorium. The moratorium was the only solution available that addressed the urgent need to prevent infrastructure failures, protect public health and our natural environment, and provide transparency to the development community. This area is an economic hub for our county, with lots of exciting plans for transit-oriented housing and commercial development, and job-producing manufacturing and warehouse construction near BWI Airport. I have directed staff to expedite all efforts to allow for additional allocations.”
Anne Arundel County’s Baltimore City Sewer Service Area (SSA) encompasses the area within Anne Arundel County that is served by Baltimore City’s Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plant. This SSA includes areas in Anne Arundel County that drain into Howard County, Baltimore County, and Baltimore City. The boundary of the moratorium includes only those areas within the Baltimore City SSA that drain into Howard County and Baltimore County and ultimately to Baltimore County’s Patapsco Sewer Pump Station. The part of the SSA that drains directly into Baltimore City is not part of the moratorium.
General Overview
It is a temporary pause on all new construction projects and land use approvals, specifically within the Baltimore City SSA.
The primary goal is to prevent overburdening existing water and sewer infrastructure. This ensures the long-term sustainability of the system and protects public health and safety.
The moratorium was declared via a formal press release and an "Orange Notice" posted on the Department of Public Works (DPW) website.
To provide immediate transparency to the development community once it was determined that in order to comply with our interjurisdictional agreements, DPW could not issue additional allocations at this time.
DPW is committed to regular updates. Please monitor this webpage for future updates as milestones are met.
The moratorium is effective immediately as of March 2, 2026. The county is exploring all options to allow for additional allocations to keep projects moving forward and to lift this moratorium as soon as possible.
Causes & Background
The discovery followed a methodology shift. Historically, capacity was modeled using Average Daily Flow (ADF). However, a recent internal audit required a shift to Peak Flow metrics to comply with regional Consent Decrees and a 1976 Interjurisdictional Agreement.
Under these stricter Peak Flow parameters, several connection points to Baltimore County were identified as operating at their maximum agreed-upon peak capacity.
In February 2026, regional partners (Baltimore City and County) denied Anne Arundel County’s request for more capacity because they are facing their own significant infrastructure pressures.
The system relies on complex, 50-year-old agreements between Anne Arundel, Baltimore, and Howard Counties. All wastewater flow in this network ultimately moves to the Baltimore City Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Understanding the Impacts
Any residential, commercial, or industrial development that does not currently hold a formal allocation is suspended until further notice.
Yes. The following may still move forward:
- Tenant fit-out permits that require no additional sewer capacity.
- Residential properties with failing septic systems that need to connect to the public system.
No. The scope of this moratorium does not affect existing utility customers or projects that have already received their formal sewer allocation.
By limiting new flow, we significantly reduce the risk of Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs) and hazardous basement backups.
Our Action Plan
Collaboration
- Continue coordination with Baltimore County and City
- Work with the development community on proffers that can allow some projects to move forward if they help build capacity or speed up diversion strategies
- Talk to BWI Airport about any available capacity they may be able to turn over to us
- Collaborate with MDE on possible statewide solutions
- Create a Moratorium Mitigation Strategy Workgroup
Technical
- Upgrade Linthicum/Shipley pump station (S7918180)
- Implement operational improvements to optimize flow management
- Evaluate if a pumping and hauling strategy is feasible
- Evaluate if a small treatment plant without connection to the Baltimore Sewer Service Area is feasible
- Meet with allocated project developers to fine-tune allocation needs to free up capacity
- Prioritize remaining CIP projects that address Baltimore City SSA I&I (S776712)
- Continue evaluating the use of reclaimed water for certain applications (X7642108)
Sewer Diversion
Strategic Diversion Plan
- North County Wastewater Strategic Plan to evaluate at least 5 diversion alternatives to send flow to Patuxent SSA, and/or Cox Creek SSA (S776712)
- Plan will be completed in 8 months
Design/Construction of Flow Diversions
- Estimated 4-5 Years
- Cost estimates will be determined from the Strategic Diversion Plan
