Planned Bowleys Quarters water outage will close Seneca and Chase elementary schools on January 21
Water service interruption scheduled for Wednesday
Two Baltimore County public elementary schools in Bowleys Quarters will close Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, due to a planned water service interruption tied to infrastructure work in the area.
The outage is scheduled to occur from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. as crews replace a 16-inch water valve at the intersection of Carroll Island Road and Bowleys Quarters Road. County officials have described the work as a planned shutoff associated with the valve replacement, with surrounding customers expected to experience a temporary loss of water service during the maintenance window.
School operations affected
Baltimore County Public Schools confirmed that Seneca Elementary School and Chase Elementary School will be closed Wednesday because the planned outage would prevent normal building operations. Schools typically require reliable running water for restrooms, handwashing, food service, and other health and safety needs, and the closure aligns with standard operating requirements for occupied school buildings.
No additional school closures connected to this outage were confirmed in the information available Tuesday afternoon. Families and staff were expected to receive routine closure communications through the school system’s established emergency notification channels.
What residents should expect during the work window
The outage is planned and time-limited, centered on the Carroll Island Road and Bowleys Quarters Road area. While the scheduled work period spans six hours, conditions in the field can affect start and restoration times, particularly when crews must depressurize, isolate, and then restore a section of water infrastructure.
Customers in the immediate service area should anticipate no water service during the shutoff window.
Some nearby locations may experience reduced pressure or intermittent service while the system is brought back online.
After restoration, it is common for customers to notice temporary discoloration as water flow patterns change and sediments are disturbed; this typically clears after running cold water for a period of time.
How water service responsibilities are divided in Baltimore County
Baltimore County’s drinking water network is part of a regional system in which Baltimore City operates major components of the water infrastructure that serve county customers. In practice, that shared responsibility can shape how residents report problems and how repairs are carried out, particularly for main breaks, pressure issues, or loss of service.
The planned outage is tied to replacement of a 16-inch water valve at Carroll Island Road and Bowleys Quarters Road, with service scheduled to be interrupted from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday.
What’s next
County officials indicated the interruption is limited to the planned maintenance period. School reopening for Seneca and Chase is expected to resume after water service is restored and facilities can operate normally.