Kelsey Volkmann, The Examiner
2007-05-22 07:00:00.0
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Eldersburg, Md. -

Carroll County officials broke ground Monday on a new water-treatment plant in Eldersburg. New residents and businesses will pick up the tab.

The new plant will be built next to the existing Freedom Water Treatment Plant off Oakland Road in South Carroll, more than doubling the capacity for treating water from Liberty Reservoir from 3 million to 7 million gallons of water a day and increasing the potential for water line connections from 8,000 to 16,000 users.

The 30-year-old plant, which uses earth and sand filters to extract impurities and debris from the water, and the new plant, which boasts a state-of-the-art fiber filter, will work cooperatively, Public Works Director Michael Evans said.

It will take 25 to 30 years for the additional 8,000 users to tap into water from the plant, which will be completed in February 2009, he said.

Developers, new residents and new companies will finance the $27 million project through water-connection fees, county spokeswoman Vivian Laxton said.

While water rates are expected to jump next year by at least $1 for every 1,000 gallons, the increase is not tied to the plant, whose construction instead will be paid by money budgeted for capital projects, she said.

The plant’s construction marks the end of more than a decade of county planning, which almost fell victim to political bickering, Evans said.

Former commissioners wanted to build a new plant off Piney Run Reservoir instead of buying raw water from Baltimore City, he said.

“Why would we use that supply if we don’t have to yet?” he asked.

kvolkmann@baltimoreexaminer.com