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.
Even well-maintained septic systems can release harmful pollutants into the environment, that’s why the County created Capital Project S-6699. The program converts septic systems to public sewer within areas eligible for public sewer. The conversion helps improve 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 zknight@howardcountymd.gov.
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 publicworks@howardcountymd.gov.