Hampstead says contractor will build four new water treatment plants; pipelines expected finished May 18

At a Feb. 25 meeting of the Hampstead Planning and Zoning Commission, Zoning Administrator Jim told the commission that Conewago has a signed contract to construct four new water treatment plants for the town.

Jim said a preconstruction meeting took place Jan. 29 with town staff, Conewago, HDR Engineering, GMB Engineering, RK&K Engineering — which he named as the project inspectors — and the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). "They will be constructing the 4 new water treatment plants," Jim said.

He reported progress on the pipeline portion of the project: "3 to 5 pipelines are complete," Jim said, noting that Mid Atlantic crews had lost time to snow but were working on Task 4 and expected to complete the new pipeline work by May 18. Jim added that Conewago plans to break ground in April and that the contractor's initial schedule lists construction completion on July 6, 2027, a date he characterized as "very aggressive" but achievable.

Jim described portions of the routing: crews would work through neighborhoods toward Shiloh and Hampstead Elementary, then under a road bypass and toward the planned new treatment plant site near the State Skateboard Park and Chief Sites Park. He also said RK&K will serve as on-site inspectors and that reimbursement procedures with MDE were discussed at the preconstruction meeting.

The zoning administrator gave no cost figures or funding breakdown at the meeting. He did not identify any formal votes or motions tied to the project at this session; the update was informational. Town staff next steps include scheduling construction mobilization and continuing coordination with MDE and engineering partners.

The commission did not take a formal vote on the project during the Feb. 25 meeting; staff indicated the contractor's schedule and MDE reimbursement steps will guide timing and next formal submissions.