Rural Water Supply Program

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2013

Howard County is ideally situated between Baltimore and Washington, DC along the I95 corridor. Its proximity to these cities, exceptional school system, award-winning recreation programs, and cultural diversity have contributed to its national recognition as one of the top ten places to live in America. Many of the County’s newer residential communities were carefully developed over the last two decades in an area commonly referred to as the ‘rural west.’ These homes are nestled among vast expanses of farmland and residents enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of a less populated area with access to the many amenities that make living here so enjoyable. To ensure the Department of Fire and Rescue Services is able to effectively respond to fires in this area, which is without piped water and standard fire hydrants, a comprehensive Rural Water Supply program was developed. Under the direction of County Executive Ken Ulman, this program is strategically placing 30,000 gallon cisterns underground to serve as dedicated sources of water for purposes of fire suppression. Together with the Department’s access to natural water sources like ponds or streams, Howard County now has a reliable alternate water supply program to address a critical safety need in a manner that does not infringe upon the rural landscape and pays full respect to the environment.