Harborside runs afoul of sewage limits
By Bob Lassahn

A popular West Ocean City bar and eatery has run afoul of the ongoing saga of sewerage in Worcester County. Harborside Bar, located on the waterfront along Harbor Road has found itself short of sewage capacity to accommodate the total number of seats in the establishment. Although the problem has actually existed for over a decade it only recently showed up on the county’s radar screen.

Attorney Mark Cropper, acting on behalf of the owners, presented a case to the Worcester County Commissioners during their May 17 meeting requesting assistance in resolving the discrepancy. Based upon county records the bar is allocated a total of 11 equivalent dwelling units (EDUs) of sewer capacity for the property. That number effectively limits the allowable seating for the establishment at somewhere around 110 seats. In 2003 Harborside indicated 214 seats on a Department of Heath application. Mr. Cropper explained to the commissioners that the establishment could not remain profitable if seating, the ability to serve customers, was literally cut in half. To punctuate the seriousness of the issue Harborside employees filled several rows of seats in the commissioner’s meeting room.

Existing agreements limit the amount of sewage flowing from the West Ocean City area to about one million gallons per day and EDUs have been allocated to the service area accordingly. The level of development has brought the flows from the area close to and at times during peak summer weeks, in excess of that level. Basically it is an issue of just how much sewage can be pumped through a pipe of a certain size.

The most logical solution, the purchase of additional EDUs, is problematic since it is unlikely there would be property owners willing to sell and the current value assigned to an EDU is in the vicinity of $60,000. Since Harborside needs as many as eight additional EDUs the price tag would be considerable on the slim chance they could be purchased

After some discussion it became evident to the commissioners that no easy solution was forthcoming. The county accepts no fault, noting the owners had a responsibility to understand the limitations on the property when purchased, while the owners point to the fact that applications to the Department of Health prior to their purchase of the property in the 1990s indicated seating in excess of the limits being discussed.

In the final analysis the commissioners opted to delay further action on the matter until November, after the lucrative summer season for local businesses. In the meantime hope was expressed that some solution to the issue might be found.

At least for the 2005 summer season Harborside’s popular deck parties and signature “Orange Crush” drinks should be available for both locals and tourists to enjoy.

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Check out the following stories in this week's print edition of The Courier:

*Profiles of OPA candidates
*ReMax opens new Ocean Pines location
*Memorial Day tribute