What looked to Carroll officials to be a money-saving, resource-sharing, all-around good deal between the county and the state has fallen through.

County commissioners said they were taken by surprise by the state's decision to build a pipeline through the Springfield Hospital property in Sykesville that is smaller than the one they had tentatively agreed to build, and use, together.

The state's decision means that the county might have to build a parallel water line along Route 32.

As the state planned improvements to the aging water system at Springfield Hospital Center in Sykesville, it offered Carroll a chance to share in the construction of a water pipeline that would serve the southernmost areas of the county. The proposed 16-inch water main would improve water pressure, raise fire protection capability and save the county up to $1 million on a future pipeline planned along Route 32, officials said.

Maryland Environmental Services, an independent state agency, staged an elaborate presentation two months ago with its staff and its engineering consultant to explain the process. The commissioners agreed with the proposal and sent MES letters supporting the project. But those letters took too long to reach MES and the agency did not want to delay while negotiating how much the county would pay, said Ellen Frketic, MES chief of engineering.

"All we heard was the county thought it was a great idea, but that they were not going to pay for it," Frketic said. "We have to move forward, and our engineers said all we really need ... is a 12-inch line."

In a meeting with MES last week, county officials learned that the state will build the smaller pipeline and will maintain ownership. The state rescinded its offer to allow the county to operate and maintain the water main. And, whether Carroll will have to build a second line is uncertain.

"We told the state we would participate and take the line as part of our system," said Commissioner Robin Bartlett Frazier. "Without even putting forth a proposal, the state has changed its mind. We agreed in concept to everything."

The state improvements are part of several upgrades to the hospital's utilities, and will accommodate the $60 million Police Training Center under construction on former hospital property. The center is set to open in the fall, and all utilities must be in place.

"We have to get this project under way," said Frketic. "We expect plans to be ready next month and construction to begin in April."

The state is conducting tests on four potential well sites on hospital property that could augment the water supply. The county tested those sites and found the yield to be about 500,000 gallons a day.

The improvements could help eliminate water-pressure problems in the aging system, she said.

Carroll still would supply water to the hospital, the training center and any other properties that rely on Springfield's system. The county also would have an opportunity to review and approve state plans for the water system.

Douglas E. Myers, county director of public works, said the county will treat this project like any other that is submitted by a developer or business. He expects to have the state plans by next week.