HAGERSTOWN – Director of Utilities Nancy Hausrath and Deputy Director Tyler Puffenberger met with Hagerstown’s City Council to clarify how water allocation rules would apply if the ICE facility in Washington County sought to increase its service capacity, emphasizing that no formal request has been filed.
During the mayor and council work session, utility staff reviewed current service levels and the process outlined in Chapter 238 of the city code, as public questions continue to circulate about the ICE facility.
Current water allocation
According to city officials, the property currently has:
- An approved allocation of 800 gallons per day
- A 2-inch domestic service line
- A 10-inch fire line, which cannot be used for potable water
Hausrath said 800 gallons per day would be insufficient if the facility were to operate as housing for up to 1,500 people.
Using general planning estimates, officials said water demand could range between 75,000 and 150,000 gallons per day, depending on occupancy and services such as showers, laundry and food preparation.
“That’s a very low number when you look at it,” she said of the existing allocation, noting that a single modern toilet flush uses approximately 1.5 gallons.
How the allocation process works
Under the Hagerstown city code, any property owner seeking additional water allocation must:
- Submit an application at least six months prior to exceeding the current allocation
- Provide supporting documentation for projected usage
- Submit a site plan if infrastructure upgrades are required
If higher usage is anticipated, the property owner would be responsible for:
- Upgrading the service line and meter
- Paying all allocation and infrastructure fees
- Securing engineering approval for a new tap to the water main
City officials emphasized that full payment is required before any service modifications are made.
Once water allocation is purchased, it is considered sold and cannot be reclaimed by the city. Transfers of allocation between certain properties may require mayor and council approval.
Under Section 238-17 of the city code, the water department also retains the authority to discontinue or refuse service for valid reasons, though officials noted that such actions are typically tied to compliance or safety concerns.
Wells unlikely under state policy
Council members also asked whether the property owner could bypass city water by drilling a private well.
Utility staff said that because the site is already served by public water and lies within the area, state policy generally requires connection to the existing public system when service is reasonably available.
Additionally, any well installation would require state approval and strict separation from the public system to prevent cross-contamination. Officials noted that fire protection requirements would likely make a well-only option impractical.
City authority limited to water service
Officials clarified that the city’s authority in this matter is limited to water service and allocation.
Occupancy, fire safety, and building compliance would fall under the jurisdiction of the state fire marshal and other county and state agencies.
At this time, city staff confirmed that no application for additional water allocation has been submitted for the ICE facility.
