WILLIAMSPORT, Md. – Maryland’s top environmental regulator on Monday ordered Washington County to freeze any expansion of its sewer system to accommodate a planned federal immigration detention center in a massive warehouse here, citing inadequate infrastructure that could lead to overflows and environmental harm.
The binding administrative order from the Maryland Department of the Environment states that the existing sewer line serving the Wright Road warehouse cannot handle the wastewater from up to 1,500 detainees.
It bars the county from allocating, authorizing or facilitating any increase in sewage flow or making sewer improvements until it updates its outdated 2009 sewerage plan and receives state approval.
The order was filed the same day in U.S. District Court in Maryland as part of the state’s lawsuit against federal immigration authorities over plans to convert the 825,620-square-foot warehouse, purchased for $102.4 million in January by the Department of Homeland Security, into a detention facility.
State officials project the facility would generate more than 187,000 gallons of wastewater daily – more than seven times the current load from its prior warehouse use.
The site currently uses only about 800 gallons of water per day. A detention center for 1,500 people would need an estimated 209,000 gallons daily, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement planning documents.
“The sewer pipe will overflow and/or backup,” the order warns, which “would harm the environment and waters of the state” and “create an immediate health hazard and damage real and personal property.”
Stormwater from the site drains into Semple Run, which flows into Conococheague Creek, the Potomac River and eventually the Chesapeake Bay. Maryland has invested tens of millions in restoring the Potomac watershed.
Hagerstown, which supplies water to Williamsport, received no advance notice from federal officials, according to Nancy Hausrath, the city’s utilities director.
“We have not received any contact,” Hausrath told the Hagerstown City Council last month.
The order also evaluates a smaller 542-person capacity that has surfaced in recent federal court filings, finding the infrastructure inadequate at either size.
The development adds to obstacles facing the project. In March, U.S. District Judge Brendan A. Hurson issued a temporary restraining order halting construction for 14 days, determining Maryland was likely to prevail on claims that ICE violated federal environmental laws.
The only environmental review identified was a brief floodplain notice posted online, after which a renovation contract worth more than $100 million was quickly awarded.
Portable restrooms and water tankers have since appeared at the site, potentially allowing work to bypass municipal systems.
Washington County commissioners voted unanimously in support of the project despite knowing about the infrastructure shortfalls.
In a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem the day after the vote, County Administrator Michelle Gordon noted the local pump station was nearly at capacity and upgrades would cost $750,000 to $1 million. The county also requested federal funding for Interstate 81 widening and airport upgrades tied to the project.
In an internal email after the purchase, Gordon told commissioners the project was exempt from state and local regulations due to federal supremacy.
The case remains pending before Hurson.
Pennsylvania pushing back too
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said recently he will use “every tool at his disposal” to oppose planned ICE detention centers in Berks and Schuylkill counties, following Maryland’s legal action.
After a bipartisan meeting with local officials in Berks County, Shapiro said the facilities would strain local water, sewer, health care and emergency services.
In Tremont Township in Schuylkill County, site of a proposed 7,500-bed center, the system would run out of water within 24 hours and require tripling capacity, he said.
“That means that they literally won’t be able to turn on the water in their kitchen and fill up a pot of water. They won’t be able to flush the toilet,” Shapiro said.
He also warned that adding thousands of detainees would pull resources from existing community needs and could undermine local economies and trust in law enforcement.
Shapiro, a Democrat, noted he has successfully challenged the current administration in court 19 times as governor.
