Baltimore is preparing to tap the Susquehanna River for drinking water as ongoing drought conditions push city reservoirs to some of their lowest levels in decades.

The Department of Public Works plans to begin blending treated Susquehanna River water into the Montebello water system later this month or in early October. It would mark the first time Baltimore has used the system in roughly 20 years.

The blended water could be supplied to East Baltimore and portions of Baltimore County served by the Montebello system.

The Liberty water system, which serves other portions of the Baltimore region, is not expected to receive Susquehanna River water.