Howard County Government: Substantial Survey Of Septic System Owners In Howard County To Be Conducted By Department Of Public Works 

Columbia MD

09 December, 2021

8:42 AM

Description

Press release from the Howard County Government: 12/8/2021 Beginning this month and running through February 1, 2022, Howard County's Department of Public Works will be conducting a survey of septic system owners within the County's Water and Sewer Planned Service Area. This voluntary survey will evaluate septic owners' interest in connecting to public sewer and the information collected will only be used to help the County plan future projects. ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Beginning this month and running through February 1, 2022, Howard County's Department of Public Works (DPW) will be conducting a survey of septic system owners within the County's Water and Sewer Planned Service Area. This voluntary survey will evaluate septic owners' interest in connecting to public sewer and the information collected will only be used to help the County plan future projects. Septic system owners will not be required to take any action as a result of this survey. As we plan for future infrastructure projects, it's vital we understand current owners interest and intent. I encourage our residents who own septic systems to complete this survey and learn more about options to connect to our public sewers. Calvin Ball Howard County Executive Even well-maintained septic systems can release harmful pollutants into the environment, that's why the County launched its Sewer Connection Loan Program. Funded through Capital Project S-6699, the program assists property owners with the cost of connecting to the County's sanitary public sewer system. Septic system conversion to public sewer improves water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, and the ability to use water, including for recreational purposes.   This week, DPW will mail information on how to complete the survey to approximately 1,450 residents who County records show may own an active septic system. To encourage survey participation, survey respondents will automatically be entered into a drawing to win one of 15 $100 Amazon gift cards. The gift card drawing will take place on or before February 15th, with potential winners notified by mail on or about March 1st.   Residents who live within the Planned Service Area and own an active septic system, but did not receive a survey solicitation letter by mail by December 18th and would like to participate, are encouraged to contact Mr. Zack Knight with DPW's Utility Design Division at 410-313-6125 or email [email protected].   The survey is funded through Capital Project S-6699. For questions or more information about this survey, contact Lisa Brightwell, Public Works Customer Service, at 410-313-3440 or email [email protected]. This press release was produced by the Howard County Government. The views expressed here are the author's own.