Legislation (HB 1141) passed by the 2006 Maryland General Assembly requiring all local jurisdictions to develop and adopt a Water Resources Element (WRE) to their comprehensive plans. 

This WRE must identify drinking water and other water resources needed for existing and future growth. It also must identify suitable receiving waters (where stormwater and treated wastewater can be discharged) and land areas for stormwater management and wastewater treatment. The WRE must address pollutant reductions, where needed, from both existing development and future growth.  State guidance in 2022 also added climate change impacts to water resources to the topics to be addressed in the WRE. 

2010 WRE

Carroll County and its municipalities worked collaboratively to develop one unified WRE document that can be adopted by all of Carroll County’s jurisdictions to satisfy the requirements of House Bill (HB) 1141.  A joint WRE plan document was developed, using the Water Resources Coordination Council (WRCC) as the forum for collaboration. This same document was then adopted by all the participating jurisdictions. The jurisdictions that participated in adoption of the joint 2010 WRE plan document are Carroll County, Hampstead, Manchester, Mount Airy, New Windsor, Sykesville, Union Bridge, and Westminster.

To review or download the adopted 2010 plan document, click here: 

      Complete Adopted 2010 WRE Plan Document 

2024 WRE

State law requires comprehensive plans to be updated every 10 years.  In January 2022, MDP released updated guidance, which added addressing best practices for integrating climate change, identifying suitable receiving waters, and looking at projects through an equity lens.

As with the original 2010 plan document, for the 2024 WRE, Carroll County and its municipalities worked collaboratively to develop one unified WRE document that can be adopted by all of Carroll County’s jurisdictions to satisfy the State requirements for the 2024 updated document. 

For the 2024 update, the County hired Hazen & Sawyer to update the 2010 supporting documents that provide technical assistance with several of the background assessments needed to inform decisions and develop strategies to be included in a plan element.  Hazen also identified impacts of climate change and emerging contaminants on water resources in Carroll County and possible measures to address their impacts.  These documents are available for review upon request.

  • Review of 1988 Water Resources Study, April 18, 2024 updated
  • Carroll County Water Demands and Availability, May 21, 2024 updated
  • Carroll County Wastewater Limitations, May 14, 2024 updated
  • Carroll County Alternatives Evaluation, May 14, 2024 updated
  • Emerging Contaminants Assessment and Recommendations, September 1, 2023
  • Evaluation of Climate Change Impacts on Water Resources in Carroll County, MD, November 16, 2023
  • WRE Update: Carroll County Water and Wastewater Options and Strategies, May 14, 2024

County and municipal staff worked together to update the actual WRE plan document.  The background assessments and resulting strategies for the WRE were primarily based on adopted plans, policies, and zoning/regulations in place at the time the assessments were completed or under consideration in 2023.  The drinking water supply and wastewater system capacity and demand estimates were based on the zoning in place in 2022 for the 2023 Water and Sewer Service Areas.

2024 WRE:  PLANNING COMMISSIONS REVIEW PROCESS

As an element of the municipal comprehensive plans and Carroll County Master Plan, each planning commission must review the draft plan, release a draft for the required 60-day State agency review period, hold a public hearing, and ultimately recommend a plan to the legislative body for review, public hearing, and adoption.  Below is a link to view or download the draft plan document under review by all the municipal planning commissions.

      Draft 2024 WRE Plan Document for Planning Commissions Review 

The 60-day State agency and public review period will begin after all nine planning commissions have reviewed the document and started the 60-day review period (possibly winter 2026).  Check back for the draft for public comment.

For questions about the Carroll County and Municipalities WRE, contact Brenda Dinne by e-mail to bdinne@carrollcountymd.gov.