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The operation, maintenance and management of water and wastewater facilities can be a challenge, especially for smaller and mid-sized towns and cities and rural counties. Local governments bear legal responsibility as the owners of water and wastewater systems that are issued permits and regulated under federal and state statutes. These statutes include the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Clean Water Act and the Maryland Environment Article. Newly-elected mayors, members of councils and commissions, and appointed town managers may be surprised by the complexity and cost of operating and maintaining these vital systems.
Managing requests for new hookups, evaluating large development proposals and dealing with needed capital upgrades and expansions can be daunting. As development pressures increase in areas such as the Eastern Shore and rural western parts of Maryland, the need to ensure adequate facilities will become even more important.
Why Local Jurisdictions Must Monitor and Track Water System Capacity
Recognizing the need for more assistance to local governments, MDE has prepared two draft documents that may be of use to local managers and elected officials. These are the draft Water Capacity Management Plan and draft Wastewater Capacity Management Plan. These documents provide information as to why local governments must monitor and track water and wastewater system capacity, refer to pertinent law and regulation, outline the elements of a capacity management plan and provide a suggested methodology for tracking available capacity. MDE is now reviewing comments received and will publish these guidance documents in final form by the end of April.
In both water and wastewater systems, a local government must be able to determine total system capacity, existing usage/demand, demand from approved but un-built subdivision plats and building permits, and remaining capacity available for allocation. The system must have a process for tracking and controlling the allocation of new connections, and a system to finance, construct and operate capital facilities in a self-supporting manner. User rate systems may incorporate connection or other fees to cover the capital costs for system upgrades and expansions. The system must be tailored for specific system characteristics such as water loss from leakage in the distribution system, inflow and infiltration, and other factors.
Managing Water and Wastewater Systems
Some local governments may opt to hire an engineering firm to provide the level of management, tracking, evaluation and capital planning needed to ensure that water and wastewater systems are properly and efficiently managed. Others may have the talent to accomplish this with local staff. However a town or county chooses to do this, the legal obligation for the proper operation of the system remains with the system owner.
Regional Workshops
“The effort to assist local governments with the development of capacity management tools is part of a larger effort on the part of the Ehrlich Administration to ensure that water and wastewater systems are adequate, environmentally progressive, and consistent with responsible growth,” said Kendl P. Philbrick. A series of four workshops was held around the state last fall to open the dialogue between local and state agencies, developers, and environmental groups on issues related to growth, development and environmental protection. A report is forthcoming this spring on the outcome of those workshops.
The Governor’s 2007 capital budget contains many programs to help local governments with water and wastewater capital needs. The Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) Program pays for state-of-the-art nutrient removal at the 66 largest, locally owned wastewater treatment plants in Maryland. For fiscal year 2007, $70 million is budgeted for this program. When this job is done, the fund will target smaller wastewater treatment plants for nutrient removal. In addition to the ENR Program, the Governor’s budget includes: $18 million in grants for ongoing Biological Nutrient Removal projects; $83 million in low interest loans for wastewater and drinking water projects; $6 million in grants for on-site septic system upgrades for nutrient removal; $5 million in grants for sewer rehabilitation projects; $5 million in grants for various wastewater treatment plant and system improvements; and $2.5 million in grants for water supply systems.
Ongoing Efforts to Track Water Supply
There are other ongoing efforts related to the safety and adequacy of water and wastewater systems statewide. The Water Resources Advisory Committee, appointed by Governor Ehrlich and chaired by Dr. Reds Wolman of the Johns Hopkins University, will evaluate and make specific recommendations for action items to plan for the long-term viability of the state’s drinking water resources. Under this committee, the Department of the Environment and the United States Geological Survey are undertaking a study of water availability in the Coastal Plain of Southern Maryland. Other studies will follow as funds permit.
A report by the Interagency Technical Assistance Committee, chaired by Stephen McHenry, Rural Maryland Council and co-chaired by Victoria Woodward, former chair of the Water Security and Wastewater Advisory Council, will soon be provided to the General Assembly.
This report focuses on ways to ensure that local elected officials have access to information on how to properly manage wastewater systems and provides recommendations on the County water and sewerage planning process.
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