# Public Utilities (GPU)

## Title 26. Water Systems in Anne Arundel County and Howard County

### Subtitle 1. Anne Arundel County

#### Section 26-101

The Commission and Anne Arundel County may enter into a contract for the Commission to construct, operate, and maintain a water system in Anne Arundel County for the purpose of supplying water to:

(1) the corrective institution of the District of Columbia, as authorized by Chapter 434 of the Acts of 1953, or its successor, if any; and

(2) residents of Anne Arundel County who may be reasonably served from the water system.

#### Section 26-102

To carry out this subtitle, the Commission may:

(1) enter on a public roadway as provided in Sec. 27-101 of this article without receiving a permit from or paying a fee to Anne Arundel County;

(2) acquire property in Anne Arundel County in the same way as provided for acquiring property in Prince George's County in Title 21, Subtitle 2 of this article; and

(3) adopt regulations.

#### Section 26-103

Except as provided in Commission regulations, a person may not use, handle, tamper with, obstruct, interfere with, deface, or destroy any part of the water system constructed by the Commission under this subtitle, including pipes, fittings, fireplugs, pumps, engines, appliances, wires, or other fixtures or equipment.

### Subtitle 2. Howard County

#### Section 26-201

The Commission may construct, operate, and maintain a water system to the Howard County boundary line to supply water to the residents of Howard County.

#### Section 26-202

(a) The Commission may contract with Howard County and any person to furnish water.

(b) The parties to a contract under this section may determine by agreement the costs, rentals, service charges, or other fees entered into under the contract.

(c)

  (1) If the Commission and any person who wants water service cannot agree on the reasonableness of the charge for the service, the Public Service Commission may determine the amount of the charge.

  (2) The Public Service Commission's determination is final and binding on all parties concerned.

#### Section 26-203

(a) The Commission may contract with the Howard County Department of Public Works for the maintenance and operation of parts of the Howard County Department of Public Works' water system that are supplied from the Commission's water system.

(b) If the contract under subsection (a) of this section requires the Commission to maintain and operate parts of the Howard County Department of Public Works' water system:

  (1) the operating control of those parts of the Howard County Department of Public Works' water system belongs exclusively to the Commission; and

  (2) the Commission shall collect fees and charges incident to the maintenance and operation of the water system or the use of water in accordance with Sec. 25-504(b), (c), and (d) of this article.

#### Section 26-204

(a) If Howard County is supplied with water from the Commission's system, the Commission may adopt regulations requiring:

  (1) the use of water saving devices;

  (2) curtailing of water use during water restriction periods; and

  (3) compliance with health requirements of the Commission's plumbing regulations.

(b) Howard County shall comply with the regulations adopted by the Commission for those parts of the Howard County Department of Public Works' water system supplied with water by the Commission.

#### Section 26-205

Except as provided in Commission regulations, a person may not use, handle, tamper with, obstruct, or interfere with any part of the Howard County Department of Public Works' water system that is supplied with water from the Commission's water system, including pipes, fittings, fireplugs, pumps, engines, appliances, wires, or other fixtures or equipment.

#### Section 26-206

(a) The Commission may provide a sewage collection and disposal system for the Patuxent River drainage area in Howard County.

(b)

  (1) The Commission may contract with Howard County regarding:

    (i) sewage disposal; and

    (ii) the terms and conditions on which sewage disposal service may be performed.

  (2) The cost of sewage disposal under this section may not be apportioned or levied on any property in Montgomery County or Prince George's County.

---

Md. Code Ann., Pub. Util. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)