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Project Background
The Heritage Harbour Water Pressure Zone is a subzone of the Broad Creek Water Pressure Zone and is currently supplied with water through a single water main running along Harry S. Truman Parkway. Due to the area's higher elevation than the Broad Creek Water Pressure Zone, the Heritage Harbour Booster Pumping Station maintains pressure in the subzone.
The booster pumping station contains a 12,000-gallon tank used to provide a steady operational water pressure. This means that the Heritage Harbour Water Pressure Zone has no additional water storage, making it one of three water pressure zones in the County without storage in its system. For context, the other pressure zones within Anne Arundel County have a minimum of 70 gallons of water storage per person served.
Over the last 11 years, there have been five breaks in the water main along Harry S. Truman Parkway. The most recent caused a water outage for approximately 2,300 households. Water main breaks cause system disruptions, outages and pose safety concerns for firefighting capacity and water access when there is no backup water storage.
Learn more about water system operations:
The proposed Elevated Water Storage Tank would provide water storage for the Heritage Harbour pressure zone to ensure an adequate water supply for emergencies, firefighting and water system equalization:
- Emergencies – water during power outages, water main breaks and system shutdowns
- Fire Storage – water supply for firefighting reliably available and in sufficient capacity.
- Equalization – continuation of water service during peak hours beyond treatment plant capacity, and reduction of pumping costs.
Equalization of the water system is desirable due to how water demand changes throughout the day and week. Water demand in residential areas fluctuates on a diurnal curve, as seen below. For example, there is a sharp rise in demand in the morning as residents prepare for the day, and a second peak in the evening while people prepare dinner and perform household duties. There is low demand at night while most residents are asleep, which is our opportunity to pump water into storage tanks to prepare for tomorrow’s needs.
Site Evaluation Process
The Department of Public Works began an extensive review process in 2013 for potential sites for the construction of the new Elevated Water Storage Tank. Over the past 12 years, the County reviewed 12 different locations to evaluate viability as a potential site. The minimum standards for a site to meet technical viability include:
- Ground surface elevation: Target of 145 feet; minimum of 100 feet +/-
- Tank height: Maximum of 200 feet +/-
- Target length of connection to water main: Less than 5,000 feet from Elevated Water Storage Tank
- Land parcel size: Minimum of 1.5 acres
- Environmental considerations: No floodplain; no steep slopes; not in a critical area
- Property: Must be available for sale to the County
- Tank overflow elevation: 285 feet
- Top of tank elevation: 300-305 feet
Additional criteria considered during the evaluation process are: accessibility for service, historical or archaeological impacts, environmental impacts, land plans, proximity to airports, construction requirements and capital costs, and balance of the water pressure zone.
Viable Site Options
The current sites that meet technical viability and are under consideration for the Elevated Water Storage Tank location include:
Option 1: Site Location A
Approximately 960 Bermuda Lane,
Annapolis, MD 21401 (NO OFFICIAL ADDRESS)
Considerations:
- Tank height: 165 ft. +/-
- Water main connection: 3,500 ft.
- Visual impact: Low-moderate
- Environmental impacts: Moderate-high (forest stand impacts; limited steep slopes)
- Land availability status: In review
Option 2: Site Location D
427 Ashers Farm Road,
Annapolis, MD 21401 (and adjacent open space lot)
Considerations:
- Tank height: 200 ft. +/-
- Water main connection: 2,000 ft.
- Visual impact: Low-moderate
- Environmental impacts: Moderate (forest stand impacts; limited steep slopes)
- Land availability status: In review
Option 3: Site Location E
1890 Crownsville Road,
Annapolis, MD 21401
Considerations:
- Tank height: 200 ft +/-
- Water main connection: 1,000 ft
- Visual impact: Moderate-High
- Environmental impacts: Low (site is largely cleared)
- Land availability status: Ready for acquisition
Option 4: Site Location H
534 Defense Highway,
Crownsville, MD 21032
Considerations:
- Tank height: 200 ft +/-
- Water main connection: 800 ft
- Visual impact: Moderate
- Environmental impacts: Moderate (some clearing required adjacent to stream tributary)
- Land availability status: In Review
Option 5: Site Location J
1907 & 1909 Crownsville Road,
Annapolis, MD 21401
Considerations:
- Tank height: 200 ft +/-
- Water main connection: 600 ft
- Visual impact: Moderate
- Environmental impacts: Low-Moderate
- Land availability status: In Review
Option 6: Site Location K
2000 Windermere Court,
Annapolis, MD 21401
Considerations:
- Tank height: 180 ft. +/-
- Water main connection: 5,500 ft.
- Visual impact: Low
- Environmental impacts: Low
- Land availability status: In Review
Option 7: Site Location L
Open space off North River Road,
Annapolis, MD 21401
Considerations:
- Tank height: 190 ft. +/-
- Water main connection: 5,000 ft.
- Visual impact: Low
- Environmental impacts: Low
- Land availability status: In review
Site Survey & Feedback
As DPW continues to evaluate the best possible solution for the location of the new Elevated Water Storage Tank, we invite you to share feedback, questions or comments.
This survey was provided as part of DPW’s Public Meeting on 10/28 and 10/29 and is available for feedback through 11/14. DPW will publish results of the survey following the survey close date. Survey results will support DPW’s future considerations and planning for this project to be discussed during future Public Meetings and/or project communications.
Project History/Timeline
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Project planning & initiation
2012
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Public Meeting: Presentation of site options
September 2013
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Site locations evaluations
Fall 2013 - Present
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Public Meeting: Presentation of site options
March 2025
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Public Meeting(s): Elevated Water Storage Tank Open House Informational Poster Session
October 2025
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Current Status
Evaluation of Viable Sites
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Estimated Completion
March 2029