Calvert Health Department Requests State Funds To Connect 3rd Street Area To Public Sewer System

NORTH BEACH, Md. — Calvert County’s Planning Commission approved access to state funding for an area of the county to be connected to the public sewer system, just outside North Beach’s municipal boundaries, at its Dec. 17 meeting.

In order to access state funding, the county had to create a Priority Funding Area (PFA) and certify that it met the criteria to qualify as a PFA, according to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE).

Properties around Calvert County have individual septic systems, as opposed to being connected to the public sewer system. Failing septic systems can be harmful to those living on the property as well as those around them; untreated or improperly treated sewage can cause illness and spread harmful bacteria. Connecting these properties to the public sewer system has been an ongoing project in Calvert County, especially as the county pursues economic growth and business development.

In the case of the 3rd Street areas, the “most expedient way” to make this change is to designate it a PFA and access state funding.

Members of the Planning Commission questioned why this particular property and surrounding properties were eligible for this change and for state funding, while several other nearby properties were not.

Long Range Planner Tay Harris said it came down to what was eligible for the PFA, and the point of this request was to expedite the process and allocate funds to the failing septic system.

“At this point, MDE would like to address the failing septic system in the area,” Harris said.

The Planning Commission voted to find the request in alignment with the Comprehensive Plan so it can move on to the Board of County Commissioners.

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