The Annapolis Water Company was chartered in 1865 by the Maryland General Assembly after a fire at the State House in 1863. Disturbed by the lack of an adequate supply of water to fight the fire and concerns about the increased demand created by the Naval Academy, Maryland lawmakers ordered the creation of a company for the purpose of providing "pure, healthful water for all purposes." Waterworks began in 1866. It was designed by civil engineer William Rich Hutton, who had recently completed Washington aqueduct. Innovative concrete pipes that carried water into Annapolis.