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Water staff warns 800‑gallon allocation likely insufficient if warehouse becomes housing or high‑use facility
Summary
Council reviewed city water‑allocation rules and site constraints after questions about a federally purchased warehouse; staff said the parcel’s existing 800 gpd allocation and 2‑inch domestic meter would likely be inadequate for 1,500 people and that additional allocation requires an application and possible service upgrades per city code (chapter 238).
City water‑utility staff told the Hagerstown City Council that the parcel under discussion already has a purchased allocation of roughly 800 gallons per day and a 2‑inch domestic meter, and staff said those limits would likely be inadequate if the facility were used as long‑term housing or another high‑demand use.
Scott Nice Warner introduced Nancy and Tyler from the water department to explain the process for requesting additional allocation and the technical and legal constraints. Staff pointed to city code (chapter 238) that requires any customer requesting additional allocation to apply and highlighted a six‑month application window before exceeding an established allocation. If the six‑month process is not followed, staff noted the water department has options that include moving a customer to a higher inside‑rate or, in extreme cases, termination of service after due process; section 23817 (discontinuance/refusal of service) was read aloud as evidence of those authorities.
On the technical side, staff said the property has a 2‑inch turbine domestic meter (Neptune), with a continuous flow rating about 200 gallons per minute and intermittent peaks to about 250 gpm, but that domestic meters at that size cannot reliably serve large occupant peaks. Staff said using EDU (equivalent dwelling unit) or fixture‑unit methods, 1,500 people could require on the order of 75,000–150,000 gallons per day depending on amenities (showers, laundry, food service) and occupancy patterns — far above the current 800 gpd allocation.
Staff explained options: require a site plan/engineering drawings, require payment for upgrades from the property owner (meter and tap upgrades), and process allocation transfers (one‑time transfers allowed under the 2022 code amendments, with inside/outside differential payments where applicable). They emphasized that allocation is sold with the property and the city has limited ability to buy back allocation; transfers have been rare.
Council members requested clarity about whether the city must extend service and whether drilling a private well would be permitted; staff said the county/state health department (MDE local arm) typically will not approve a private well when municipal service is reasonably available, and any such path would be a separate state process.
No formal action was taken; staff said they will notify the council if the city receives an allocation application for the parcel.
