Maryland

Comprehensive Overview of Water Quality in Maryland

Maryland, an enclave state that is bordered by waterways, is one of the stakeholders of the health of Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the U.S. Maryland is blessed with over 17,000 miles of streams and rivers and also access to the Atlantic Ocean. The water systems of the state are very critical to the state because they act as sources of drinking water, recreation, fisheries, agriculture, and industry.

The quality of water within the state is greatly mixed. Whereas there are portions that enjoy clean and protected watersheds, there are those that are adversely affected by pollution brought about by agricultural overspill, urbanization, wastewater effluent, and stormwater spill. The state Department of the Environment (MDE), as well as local governments, is charged with the responsibility of overseeing and improving the quality of water, particularly in priority watersheds like the ones that flow to the Chesapeake Bay. However, the state of Maryland has made a considerable advance in the process of dealing with the challenge of nutrient pollution and conservation of the important aquatic habitat as a result of the adoption of advanced regulations, green infrastructure investments, and interstate collaboration.

Maryland Water Quality Challenges

1. Nutrient Pollution and the Chesapeake Bay

The water body that is most evident to the water quality activities that are being carried out in Maryland is the Chesapeake Bay. Excess nutrients of nitrogen and phosphorus mainly come in the form of agriculture, septic systems, and stormwater runoff, contributing to eutrophication and resulting in harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, or dead zones. The circumstances can cause the death of fish and shellfish in addition to the disruption of aquatic ecosystems. Intensive agricultural activities and poultry farms in counties like Talbot, Queen Anne, Dorchester, and Wicomico experience high nutrient levels. In recent years nutrient pollution has actually decreased, but the bay is yet to meet federal water quality objectives.

2. Stormwater Runoff and Urbanization

Maryland is undergoing a rampant development in its urban and suburban centers that produces massive stormwater runoffs, particularly in the Baltimore, Annapolis, and Washington, D.C. Metro regions. The impervious surfaces are the roads, parking lots, and rooftops; the rainwater is not percolated into the soil; instead, the dirty water is directed into the nearby streams and rivers. Such spillage is combined with oil, garbage, heavy metals, road salt, and bacteria, which impacts the water quality and rise the flood risks. This has been worsened by the combined sewer overflows (CSOs) in the older urban centres such as Baltimore during heavy rain events contamination.

3. Agricultural Runoff

The Eastern Shore and the rural western parts of Maryland have thousands of farms that have been contributing to the water pollution by use of fertilizers, application of manure and soil erosion. Poultry farming waste in particular is a problem in the state, capable of introducing excessive amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus into adjacent streams. Nevertheless, in spite of the best management practices that are advocated by the state agencies, agricultural overflows are recognized as one of the major sources of nonpoint source pollution across the state.

4. Legacy Pollutants and Industrial Waste

Maryland has a manufacturing history that is especially concentrated in and around Baltimore Harbor and the Patapsco River; industrial contamination of sediments and other impacts on aquatic life continue to be observed. They contain harmful chemical substances such as mercury, PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) and heavy metals which still prevail in the river beds resulting in seafood consumption warnings and recreation hindrance. In addition, brownfields and ex-industrial sites can become sources of groundwater contamination unless maintained.

5. Emerging Contaminants and PFAS

Similar to other states, Maryland is concerned about so-called emergent contaminants, especially PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which have been detected in several drinking water systems and military bases. These are durable chemicals which are associated with health problems and they are not easily eliminated without a special treatment.

State and Local Efforts to Improve Water Quality

The state of Maryland has distinguished herself nationally as a state that has taken a staunch obligation to environmental stewardship by being one of the states involved in the multi-state clean up exercise of the Chesapeake Bay. Several programs and regulations are actively taking part in the improvement of water conditions in the state.

1. Chesapeake Bay TMDL and Watershed Implementation Plans

Maryland is one of the states taking a leading role in Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan developed by EPA on the Chesapeake Bay. This pollution diet imposes restrictions on the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and sediments entering the Bay. The Watershed Implementation Plans (WIPs) in Maryland direct the process of reducing these pollutants, by means of agricultural reforms, upgrading wastewater treatment, stormwater retrofitting, as well as conserving land.

2. Stormwater Utility Fees ("Rain Tax")

Maryland was one of the first to implement stormwater utility fees, occasionally informally referred to as the rain tax in an effort to cut stormwater pollution. It is a policy that causes the owners of properties in certain counties to pay some particular fees based on the land area of impervious surface of the property. The funds are used to finance green infrastructure, which helps capture and treat runoff before it enters the waterways. The examples of the projects include bioswales, rain gardens, green roofs, and permeable pavements in the areas like Montgomery County, Prince George, and Baltimore City.

3. Agricultural Conservation Programs

The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) offers both technical and financial assistance to the farmers to implement best management practices (BMPs) in the following forms; cover cropping, riparian buffers, nutrient management plans, and manure storage enhancements. As in the case of Cover Crop Program, it can be seen that it is beneficial to plant winter crops that will absorb any leftover nutrients and reduce runoff during the offseason.

4. Upgrades to Wastewater Treatment Plants

Maryland has undertaken extensive investment in the modernization of wastewater treatment infrastructure. The Bay Restoration Fund is a monthly surcharge on sewer bills that assist with Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) system upgrades at treatment facilities around the state. The upgrades result in a massive decrease in nitrogen and phosphorus that is released into the Chesapeake Bay and other water bodies.

5. PFAS Monitoring and Regulation

Maryland Department of the Environment has increased PFAS testing in public drinking water systems and is in the process of establishing enforceable standards. Cleanup is being focused on sites where contamination is known about, and the state is collaborating with the federal government on a wider response.

Impact of Climate Change on Water Quality

Maryland is uniquely vulnerable to climate change impacts, especially due to its low-lying coastal geography and dependence on the Chesapeake Bay.

1. Sea Level Rise and Saltwater Intrusion

As a result of the rise in sea level, salt water is intruding into fresh water aquifer and estuaries, particularly in the Eastern Shore. This proves to be a threat to the drinking water supply sources and also to the ecological integrity of freshwater wetlands.

2. Increased Flooding and Storm Intensity

Sewer overflows, urban floods, and sediment loads are all increased by the increase in more intense and broad storms. This exacerbates stormwater pollution, especially in cities like Baltimore and Annapolis, and places additional pressure on machinery that is getting close to the end of its useful life.

3. Higher Water Temperatures and Algal Blooms

Rising temperatures of air and water provide harmful algal blooms (HABs) in lakes and estuaries, particularly in the summer season. These flowers may emit toxins which are harmful to aquatic organisms, pets and the human health. HABs reports have been rising in such bodies as Lake Needwood, Deep Creek Lake and in some Bay areas.

4. Drought and Freshwater Availability

Maryland is not as drought prone as western states; however, it is subject to seasonal droughts which reduce stream flows, and increase pollutant concentrations. Low water levels also mean that in case of pollution incidents, the aquatic ecosystems will be slower to recover.