Published: October 10, 2008 11:18 pm      

Study shows Frostburg water supply enough to support Mount Savage

Distribution system, rates still questions ahead

FROSTBURG — A study jointly undertaken by Allegany County and Frostburg shows that the city would have enough water so that it can sell some to Mount Savage throughout the next 20 years, according to City Administrator John Kirby.

“The study looks at anticipated growth throughout our distribution area and at our water capacity and shows that we could supply water to Mount Savage,” Kirby said. “Mayor (Arthur) Bond has made it clear that he wants to help the residents of Mount Savage, but only if we are sure that we have enough water for our existing customers.”

Mount Savage has long sought a connection to Frostburg’s water supply, but that need intensified recently when the Maryland Department of the Environment, citing violations in the Mount Savage water system, turned the matter over to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The federal agency informed the Mount Savage Water Company that it must come into compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act by 2010, according to Mount Savage spokesman Dan Williams, who spoke Thursday to the county commissioners about the problem.

Kirby said supplying water to Mount Savage and new users within the existing system would be easier if MDE decreases the required minimum flow that must be released from Piney Dam in eastern Garrett County. A decrease would allow the city to retain more water in the impoundment, making it available for domestic use.

“Chris Hovatter (director of public works) and our consultant are working with MDE on this issue and we believe we will have a positive response this month,” Kirby said.

Kirby said the state now requires that 840,000 gallons per day flow by the water treatment facility and the city is hoping to reduce that amount by 250,000 gallons.

Kirby pointed out that there has been no discussion within the city about the water rates that would be paid by Mount Savage users.

“All of our work so far has been about supply and demand,” he said.

Kirby said, too, that Mount Savage would face other issues, such as building a distribution system to handle Frostburg’s water. The city’s existing water distribution system stops about one mile short of Mount Savage.

“Slabtown is the northernmost point of our existing service area,” Kirby said during an earlier interview.

County Administrator Vance Ishler said Thursday that although violations have been issued by the EPA, the water at Mount Savage remains safe to drink.

Contact Michael A. Sawyers at Contact Michael A. Sawyers at msawyers@times-news.com..