Governor Forms Task Force on Septic Pollution

During the next 25 years, it's expected that 26 percent of new Maryland residential developments will be relying on septic systems so Gov. Martin O’Malley created a new task force to study the issue of the use of and pollution from on-site sewage disposal systems. 

Members of the new group are made up of representatives from business, agriculture, science, environmental advocacy and government from throughout Maryland.

The Task Force is to report its findings by Dec. 1.

According to a press release from the governor’s office, the Executive Order creating the Task Force on Sustainable Growth and Wastewater Disposal follows a vigorous debate on the issue during the 2011 legislative session.

“I am charging this task force with examining this issue in greater depth and we look forward to its conclusions,” said Gov. O’Malley. “We must continue the progress we are making toward restoring the Chesapeake Bay and other waterways. This effort is not about stopping growth—it is about stemming the tide of major housing developments built on septic systems to generate clean water and protect our environment and public health.”

Septic systems produce nitrogen, one of the most damaging pollutants in the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland’s waterways. 

Maryland must comply with a “pollution diet” prescribed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and reduce nitrogen pollution by 21 percent by 2020.  

According to the governor’s office, “the development of septic systems also fragments vital agricultural and forest lands and fuels dispersed land consumption, resulting in increased public costs and the need for additional roads, schools and other public services beyond the state’s growth areas.” 

Del. Maggie McIntosh, chair of the House Environmental Matters Committee, will lead the task force, with Jon Laria, chair of the Maryland Sustainable Growth Commission, serving as vice chair. Among the other members is Anne Arundel County Councilman Chris Trumbauer of Annapolis.