Hagerstown finalizes $288,000 remediation bill following fluoride spill at R.C. Willson WTP
City of Hagerstown Utilities: Water & Wastewater Department, Maryland · Meeting date: May 26, 2026 · Published: May 28, 2026
The Maryland municipality approved final payment to emergency contractors after a December 2025 pipe failure released hydrofluorosilicic acid into the plant's stormwater system, prompting state environmental oversight.
Key points
- A pipe failure during a scheduled delivery in December 2025 released approximately 500 gallons of 23% hydrofluorosilicic acid.
- Emergency response crews pumped an estimated 36,000 gallons of contaminated stormwater and excavated impacted soil under Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) guidance.
- A final invoice of $94,735 pushed the total cleanup cost to $287,841, exceeding the initial $192,829 estimate.
- In a separate move, the council approved a Bay Restoration Fund grant application to support enhanced nutrient removal and NPDES compliance at its wastewater facilities.
Full report
The Hagerstown City Council advanced final payments for emergency remediation at the R.C. Willson Water Treatment Plant on May 26, closing out a hazardous material response triggered by a chemical spill late last year.
According to utility department staff reports, a pipe failure occurred on December 29, 2025, during the offloading of 23% hydrofluorosilicic acid (HFS). The undetected failure released roughly 500 gallons of the chemical, which migrated from an outdoor bulk storage tank into an adjacent grassy area and the facility's storm drainage system. Staff contained the spill the following day by closing a stormwater valve, isolating the HFS within the plant's piping and vaults before notifying the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE).
Emergency contractor Clean Harbors/HEPACO was mobilized to manage the cleanup. Crews pumped an estimated 36,000 gallons of a stormwater and HFS mixture from the plant's pits. Under MDE guidance, the remediation also required excavating contaminated soil in six-inch lifts for offsite disposal, followed by field testing and lime application.
The final consolidated invoice approved by the council totaled $94,735.62, bringing the complete cost of the cleanup to $287,841.83. This final figure represents a $95,011 increase over the initial $192,829 estimate provided earlier in the year. The costs were covered by transferring funds within the Water Department's budget.
In separate water infrastructure business during the session, the council approved a grant application to the state's Bay Restoration Fund. The funding will support enhanced nutrient removal (ENR) operation and maintenance projects identified in the FY27 Capital Improvement Plan. City officials noted the grant is critical for ensuring ongoing compliance with the city's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) nutrient load limits for nitrogen and phosphorus.
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Source: City Council Regular Session, City of Hagerstown Utilities: Water & Wastewater Department