$2.5M Water Line Project On Assateague Island Aims to Improve Visitor Experience

ASSATEAGUE ISLAND, Md. – Assateague Island National Seashore has begun a $2.5 million water line replacement project to improve water infrastructure in the park.

Assateague Island National Seashore Superintendent Hugh Hawthorne explained the current dated water system, couldn’t keep up with the park’s number of visitors.

“In the campgrounds, will be better pressure, in the showers that we have both at North Beach and at South Beach.” Said Hawthorne. “There will be fewer times when the pressure goes way down, which causes problems, especially if it’s really hot out here and, people can’t get much water.”

The project is funded through Assateague Island recreation fee revenue, collected by entrance fees and over-sand vehicle passes, meaning that the project, is 100% paid for by the visitors.

“The fee program is designed so that the only thing we can spend money on, are things that directly benefit the visitors.” Said Hawthorne. “So this is built to directly benefit the visitors.”

Hawthorne explained to WMDT that majority of the water system has been in place for more than three decades, with the newest sections still being over 20 years old. Management said that this new system, will benefit campsite development and expansion projects in the years to come.

“The way the new water system is set up, it’s going to be set up so that it both works for what we have now, and for what we have planned in the future.” Said Hawthorne.

Surveying efforts for the project begun in Mid-October. Construction will primarily use horizontal boring techniques to minimize ground disturbance and visitor impact. No road closures are expected; however, campground loops will close on a rolling basis beginning in early November. The campground will remain open at reduced capacity during construction.