Our wAAter is a program to develop a balanced approach to achieve water quality goals in Anne Arundel County. The program is led by the Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works (DPW) based on guidance from the Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and consists of long-term strategies to reduce pollutants to the Chesapeake Bay. Pollutant reduction is focused on the removal of nitrogen, as excessive nitrogen reduces the Bay's overall water quality.
The Our wAAter Program involves three key components to help reach water quality goals:
To help meet these goals, the County is creating a program to encourage existing communities to consider the benefits of sewer connections and to facilitate interested communities in making the conversion to public sewer. This program will prioritize areas of the County that are vulnerable to environmental and health issues.
The program will be open for application from all County residents with existing septic systems. A set of prioritization criteria will be developed to enhance program effectiveness.
Anne Arundel County has been a leader in developing and implementing water quality improvement projects. Learn more about our past efforts and successes below.
Building upon the 2008 Septic Strategic Plan, the County has held a series of meetings with community representatives to assist with the development of recommendations and to inform decision-making for the septic to sewer conversion program.
Learn MoreThe County owns and operates seven major Water Reclamation Facilities to process wastewater. Starting in 2006, the County has invested $249 million to upgrade the process for each of these facilities to meet enhanced nutrient level requirements. These upgrades have reduced nutrient levels such as phosphorus by 71% per year and nitrogen by 69% per year. All enhanced nutrient removal treatment plant upgrades are operational as of 2017.
Learn MoreThe Watershed Protection and Restoration Program (WPRP) is continuously implementing water quality improvement projects, such as stream and wetland restoration, outfall restoration, and stormwater facility retrofits, in conjunction with non-profit and other private sector partners, to enhance habitat and the health of local waterways. Additionally, the WPRP is engaged in replacing and repairing stormwater collection and conveyance infrastructure, such as culverts and storm drains, to protect public safety and property.
Learn More