The project
To help secure the City’s water supply, the Baltimore City Department of Public Works is building large underground water tanks to store the filtered and treated drinking water currently held in Lake Ashburton. The project started in 2018, and the cost of the project is approximately $137 million.
Orignal condition of the Ashburton Reservoir
Completed layout at Lake Ashburton
The tanks measure 434 feet in diameter and hold 50 million gallons of water combined. They will be buried underground and a playground and other green spaces will be built over the tanks in the space north of the lake. New piping will connect the tanks to the existing water system. Lake Ashburton will remain for visitors to enjoy as a beautiful freshwater lake.
Funding for this project includes contributions from the State of Maryland and Baltimore County. The contractor, Oscar Renda, is required to remain in compliance with the State and City of Baltimore MWDBE hiring goals.
City officials will be in contact with community association leaders and residents during the construction period.
Questions about the project may be directed to the Communications and Community Affairs Division.
Visiting Lake Ashburton during the project
Due to construction activity, public access to Ashburton Hanlon Park is limited. Most of the entrances and exits for construction vehicles are on Liberty Heights Avenue at Dukeland Street, keeping construction traffic out of the neighborhood.
Why this project is needed
Federal regulations require that filtered and treated drinking water reservoirs or storage sites must be either covered or receive additional treatment (Safe Drinking Water Act Regulations LT2ESWTR). Covered storage is preferred as a long-term solution for maintaining water quality.
DPW has completed other covered reservoir projects:
- Towson
- Montebello II
- Pikesville
Guilford Reservoir and Druid Lake are currently under construction.
Improving Ashburton Hanlon Park and Ashburton Lake
Ashburton Lake was designed not only to support the City’s water supply but to enhance the enjoyment of Ashburton Hanlon Park. The project will ensure that the lake remains for visitors to enjoy as a lovely freshwater lake surrounded by green spaces and gathering places.
Planned improvements
- New park entrance
- Entrance walk and plaza with labyrinth
- Green space with multi-purpose fields
- New playground
- Basketball and tennis courts
- Overlook deck/stage
- Pavilion
- Restrooms
- Fitness station
Existing and new support buildings
Public gathering space on the north side of the lake
Planned new playground area at Lake Ashburton