5/24/2006
Businesses on Route 589 to get sewer service
By Bob Lassahn
The issue of getting public sewer service to several route 589 properties that have experienced failure of their septic systems was again before the commissioners during their May 16 meeting. A public hearing was held to consider sewer service, by contract, from the Ocean Pines Sanitary Service Area to McDonald’s, Peninsula Bank and the Ocean Pines Auto Service Center (Parts Plus). The provision of sewer service is now possible due to the issuance of an increased discharge permit for the Ocean Pines System and installation of a sewerage collection system to the Pennington Commons development.
County staff provided necessary information to the commissioners followed by a public hearing where only one county resident rose to speak. Joe Reynolds of Ocean Pines commented that the businesses involved were essentially being rewarded for failing to properly maintain their septic systems, but offered no actual objection to inclusion of the properties in the service area.
The businesses will be paying $11,417 for each EDU (equivalent dwelling unit) of capacity necessary for their property. McDonald’s will require 10 EDUs, Parts Plus three EDUs and Peninsula Bank one EDU. They will also be responsible for the cost of the connection.
Worcester County says there are more than 5,000 on-site sewage disposal systems (or septic systems) treating approximately 1,500,000 gallons of raw sewage each day. Properly operating systems remove solids and nutrients that would otherwise pollute groundwater drinking supplies, streams, rivers and the coastal bays. Failing systems can be a significant source of pollution. Maintenance involves pumping the septic tank every two or three years to avoid a clogged drain field and system failure and a lower cost option to potentially replacing the system at a cost in excess of $6,000 for an average home.
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Uploaded: 5/23/2006
