Baltimore County Shopping Center Owner Denied Cleanup Reimbursement After York Road Water Main Rupture

Cleanup costs follow July rupture on York Road

A Baltimore County commercial property owner says he has been denied reimbursement after paying for cleanup tied to a major water main rupture that disrupted traffic and water service along York Road in July 2025.

Mike Drzewiecki, who owns the Ashland Corner Shopping Center on York Road, said he spent about $8,600 to remove sediment and debris from a stormwater detention pond on his property after the break. The pond, which is designed to capture runoff and protect downstream waterways, required restoration work after the incident, he said.

Claim decision turns on prior notice standard

Drzewiecki filed a claim with Baltimore City, which operates the water system serving the York Road corridor in the affected area. He later received a written denial indicating the claim did not meet the standard for city liability because there had been no prior reports or complaints signaling a defect before the rupture. In follow-up communications, Drzewiecki said he was told the city acknowledged the break occurred and that emergency crews responded, but maintained that the lack of prior notice was the basis for denying reimbursement.

Maryland’s claims framework for damages involving public infrastructure commonly hinges on whether the government entity had notice of a hazardous condition and time to address it. Separately, the city provides an administrative process for filing claims against Baltimore City, including deadlines and investigative review steps handled through the City Law Department.

Break shut down a key corridor and affected businesses

The rupture involved an aging 30-inch water main and occurred on York Road between Schilling Road and Ashland Avenue, triggering multi-day road closures and detours. Emergency repairs restored water service, while roadway patching and reopening proceeded over the following days as crews stabilized the site. The incident also caused low water pressure for nearby businesses, with some reporting temporary closures during the disruption.

Long-running replacement project cited by officials

Public works officials have described York Road as part of a long-term water line replacement effort that has unfolded over more than two decades. In public briefings during summer 2025, officials said additional project phases were planned and that full completion could still take roughly two more years, depending on construction sequencing and contracting.

What property owners can expect after infrastructure incidents

• Infrastructure ownership and responsibility can be split across jurisdictions, with one entity operating water utilities and another managing road repairs.

• Claims may be evaluated under standards that require documented prior notice of a defect, not solely proof that a rupture occurred.

• Separate programs exist for certain household incidents, but eligibility and caps vary by incident type and customer category.

Drzewiecki said he consulted an attorney about next steps, while also indicating he was not eager to pursue litigation.