Germantown
Germantown, MD water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Germantown, MD is a small but growing city, with a population near 86,395 and the 3rd-largest community in Maryland. Like much of Maryland, Germantown draws its water primarily from Potomac River, Chesapeake tributaries, and coastal aquifers.
Germantown's water outlook is shaped most by saltwater intrusion — the issue that dominates planning across Maryland. Chesapeake Bay restoration drives heavy investment in stormwater and nutrient management.
Germantown sits in a state that reuses roughly 7% of treated wastewater (developing programs) and currently experiences severe to extreme drought.
For the bigger picture, see the Maryland state water profile and the related issues below.
At a glance
- Population ~86,395 (3rd-largest in Maryland)
- Primary sources: Potomac River, Chesapeake tributaries, and coastal aquifers
- Drought: severe to extreme conditions
- State reuse rate: ~7% of wastewater
Statewide drought history
% of Maryland in severe+ drought (Extreme (D3) now).
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor
Common questions
Is tap water safe in Germantown?
Germantown is served by community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Statewide, 31.7% of Maryland's systems have a recent health-based violation. Check your provider's annual Consumer Confidence Report for local results.
Where does Germantown get its water?
Germantown draws from the same regional sources that serve Maryland: Potomac River, Chesapeake tributaries, coastal aquifers.
Related water issues
Saltwater Intrusion
As coastal aquifers are over-pumped and seas rise, saltwater pushes inland and contaminates freshwater supplies for cities from Florida to California.
ExploreAging Infrastructure
Much of America's water infrastructure is decades past its design life, leaking trillions of gallons a year and demanding hundreds of billions in reinvestment.
ExploreStormwater Capture
Cities are reengineering streets and parks to capture rain that once ran to the sea, recharging aquifers and reducing flooding at the same time.
Explore