Water Service

The following sections are handled by the City of Bowie. For water and sewer problems in other sections of the City, call WSSC (Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission) at (301) 206-4002.

Planning some construction projects around the house or yard? Before you dig deeper than 3", Maryland State Law requires that you call MISS UTILITY at (800) 257-7777. Miss Utility is an underground utility location service that is free of charge and will locate and mark all underground utilities so that you can safely proceed with your project.

Water Quality Report

Wastewater Service and the Wastewater Treatment Plant

This Division is responsible for the collection and treatment of raw sewage. Our Bowie plant was the first in the United States to utilize Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR). This is a natural treatment process that reduces the need for chemicals while improving effluent quality. Our plant has won major environmental awards from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Maryland Municipal League. Scores of plants along the Atlantic Coast have now adopted this BNR process.

The plant processes approximately 2.2 million gallons of sewage on a daily basis and serves the same areas of the City as does the Water Plant: Bowie Forest, Buckingham, Chapel Forge, Derbyshire, Foxhill, Glenridge, Gradys Walk, Heather Hills, Idlewild, Kenilworth, Long Ridge, Meadowbrook, Overbrook, Rockledge, Somerset, Tulip Grove, Victoria Heights, Whitehall, and Yorktown. All other areas of the City utilize the services of Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) for wastewater treatment.

Sewer problems, such as backups at a manhole, sewer breaks, missing manhole covers, in the above mentioned sections are the responsibility of the Utilities Division. Sewer backups within a home or business are the responsibility of the property owner and should be handled by a plumber. The City maintains only the sewer main lines.

For more information or for assistance, please contact the Public Works Department at 301-809-2344.

Water Plant

The City's Water Plant serves approximately half of the residents of Bowie. With a few limited exceptions, this system does not expand into newly developing areas. The system was constructed by the Levitt Corporation in the early 1960's. This division is responsible for the production and purification of the water supply for its customers.

The City draws its water with six wells from aquifers of the Magothy, Patapsco, and Patuxent Rivers at depths of up to 1000 feet. The Water Plant is staffed seven days per week. The plant, which serves approximately 25,000 residents, processes and distributes an average of 2.3 million gallons of water per day. All other areas of the City obtain their water from Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC).

Questions regarding the City of Bowie Water Plant should be directed to the Public Works Department at 301-809-2344.