Charles County is taking proactive steps to plan for the community’s short- and long-term water needs. A Water Source Feasibility Study helped the County identify opportunities to expand and diversify its water supply, ensuring residents continue to receive safe, high-quality, and reliable water service well into the future.

Building on this study, the County developed a Water Supply Program that includes both short- and long-term strategies to meet projected demand and support continued growth.

To meet future water needs through 2045, the County is implementing a two-part approach:

• Short Term: The WSSC Water–Waldorf Interconnection Project, which will deliver up to 5 million gallons per day (MGD) of treated surface water from the WSSC Water system into Waldorf.

• Long Term: A new Potomac River Water Treatment Plant, initially designed to provide 5 MGD (expandable to 10 MGD), targeted for completion by 2035 or beyond.

Design for the short-term interconnection began in 2024, with construction expected to be completed by 2030.

The project includes two major components:

• The Interconnection Pipeline, which will carry treated water from the WSSC system in Prince George’s County into the Waldorf Water System. Charles County has engaged JMT (Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson) to design the WSSC Interconnection Pipeline.
  
  
• A Water Blending & Treatment Facility that will ensure safe blending of surface water from WSSC and existing groundwater sources in Waldorf, while maintaining compliance with all public health standards and addressing potential disinfection byproducts (DBPs). Charles County has recently engaged Hazen & Sawyer to design the Water Blending and Treatment Facility.

The pipeline will generally follow the Route 301 corridor and connect to a new blending/treatment facility designed to enhance water quality and ensure consistency across the County’s distribution system.

• Ensure a reliable and sustainable water supply for Charles County residents.
• Enhance water quality by safely blending surface and groundwater sources.
• Support long-term County growth and development.
• Reduce dependence on groundwater resources to improve resiliency.

Note: Schedule subject to permitting, weather, and funding availability/approval.

Funding for the WSSC Water–Waldorf Interconnection Project is part of Charles County’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP), which is reviewed and approved each year by the County Commissioners as part of the County’s overall budget process. This ensures that funding for major infrastructure projects like this one is planned carefully, coordinated with other County priorities, and responsibly managed. This project is funded through the County’s Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund, which operates separately from the General Fund and supports self-sustaining public water and sewer services.

• Commissioner Goals and Priorities: OpenGov Commissioner Goals
• Commissioners Meeting – June 7, 2022: View Presentation and Discussion
• Commissioners Meeting – October 8, 2024: View Presentation and Discussion