Swan Meadows residents face two years of construction starting this December as Aberdeen replaces water and sewer pipes that have been underground since World War II.
What’s happening: The Aberdeen City Council voted unanimously Monday to award an $8.3 million contract to DXI Construction Inc. to replace the water and sewer infrastructure throughout the Swan Meadows neighborhood. The project covers about 7,800 feet of water main, between 9,500 and 9,750 feet of sewer main, and about 300 individual home connections. Work is expected to begin December 9 and run through December 2028.
Why it matters to residents: When the new water system goes live, pressure in the neighborhood is expected to jump from an average of 38 pounds per square inch to between 75 and 85 PSI — roughly double what residents have now. The city’s public works director told the council that homeowners should have a licensed plumber check their home’s plumbing before it gets connected to the new system. Depending on what a plumber finds, residents may need a pressure-reducing valve installed or adjusted, their water heater’s expansion protection checked, or other fixes. The city said it is looking into financial help for those costs, but no program, dollar amount, or eligibility rules have been announced.
The history: Mayor Patrick McGrady told the council that Swan Meadows was built around World War II, when the entire development was under single ownership. Water and sewer lines were run through residential front and side yards rather than under public streets. When the properties were divided into individual lots, those lines stayed in the yards. Aberdeen took over the infrastructure in 1987, inheriting about 295 to 296 homes and decades-old pipes. City officials have talked about replacing the system since at least the late 1990s. The city received an engineering design in 2021 but ran into funding problems and a failed earlier attempt to award a construction contract. The new project will move the mains out of residential yards and into the public street right-of-way.
What construction will look like: The project is divided into five phases across the neighborhood, touching streets including Aberdeen Avenue, Swan Street, Defense Drive, Victory Street, and Liberty Street. Residents should expect excavation in streets and some yards. The city plans to give at least 48 hours’ notice before shutting off water service. Trash pickup, mail delivery, recycling, and snow removal are expected to continue. The city said it will work to keep driveways accessible and will give advance notice when that is not possible. A separate contract — not included in the $8.35 million — will handle full roadway repaving after construction is done.
Emergency access: City officials said they will coordinate with Harford County emergency services throughout construction to keep streets passable for police, fire, and ambulances. Residents who rely on home health aides, medical equipment, or mobility assistance will be asked to notify project managers in advance.
How the city is paying for it: The city’s budget for the project in the current fiscal year is $6 million, split among its general, water, and sewer funds. Federal sources have identified $2 million for the project in 2026, and the city has applied for additional federal money in future years. The project also carries partial funding from the Environmental Protection Agency and must follow federal wage and domestic-materials rules. Because construction is not expected to begin until December, the city expects to spend less than 40% of the fiscal year budget before June 30.
The bidding: DXI was the lowest of three bidders in the 2026 round. The city’s engineering consultant, KCI Technologies, reviewed the bids and recommended DXI. The company also submitted the lowest bid in a 2025 round that did not result in a contract. Its new contract is about $349,000 higher than that earlier bid, though the scope of roadway work described in the two solicitations differed.
Council concerns: The contract passed without opposition, but council members raised questions about managing a project this size. Councilman Bill Montgomery said he had submitted recommendations for a community advisory group, a public dashboard tracking spending and construction progress, a system for flagging risks like weather delays or contractor staffing problems, and regular progress reports to the council. Those were recommendations, not requirements written into the contract.
Staying informed: The city plans to hold the first neighborhood meeting October 28 at 6 p.m. at Halls Crossroads Elementary School. After that, the city expects to hold neighborhood meetings about every 90 days and additional meetings roughly two weeks before each construction phase begins. The city’s project website will be updated weekly, and staff aim to respond to resident complaints within 24 hours. A temporary project office is planned inside the neighborhood, though the location has not been announced.
The path forward: Construction is set to begin December 9, with major work expected to wrap up by December 2028 and final administrative closeout by February 2029. City officials said they expect work to continue through winter rather than stopping for the season.