Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1957-09-26
Stote Getting Tough
Water and Sewer
Crackdowns Loom

The Maryland state Board OF f1edltn lHtelluS
to enforce more strongently the laws and regula-
tons regarding the development OF water supply
and sewage disposal facilities.
The board took action in the form of state
ment sent this week to State legislators, county
commissioners officials of corporate communities,
realtors, consulting engineers and others con-
cerned with water and sewage facilities.
"The Maryland State Board of Health will re-
quire adequate planning of all forms OF COM
munity water supply and sewerage services" the
statement said. "a
Furthermore the Board will enforce com
rl'anco with the required standards. Violators
will be net with orders of the Beard and full
legal action"
The reason for the decision to become more
strict in enforcing the regulations regarding
water and sewerage facilities was explained in
the opening paragraph of the statement:
1.-THE Maryland State Board of Health is
cerned by the frequency with which it is forced
to deal, on an emergency basis, with situations
not conforming with State laws or regulations re-
garding the development of water supply and
sewage disposal facilities
The circumstances referred to included the
following according to the official statement:
Continuing requests for extensions of
sewers in communities where inadequate con-
sideration has been given the development of
sewage treatment plants;
Requests for permission to discharge raw
or partially treated sewage to streams a means
of correcting sewage nusances in inadequately
planned subdivisions, when in reality, the result
ing effect of stream pollution is frequently worse
than the original condition;
Failure by local officials to require build
ers to comply with Board regulations regarding
the size of lots and individual water supply and
sewerage systems prior to permitting filing of
pats ii e., subdivision plans) and starting of con
struction;
Community officials and real estate de-
velopers proceeding with construction of water
supply and sewerage services before having re-
ceived approval of plans and issuance of con-
struction permits;
Continual pettioning of the Board of
community officials and real estate developers for
precipitous action on permits where failure to
study Board requirements has produced situa-
lions involving acute financial hardship and crit
1cal housing occupancy problems"
An accompanying letter signed by Dr. Ed
ward Davens, Acting Director of the State Health
Department, said: Unfortunately it has become
necessary for the Board to take such action.
THE numerous situations which have oc-
CURED throughout the State have resulted in DO
tental health hazards as well as stream pollution
and ineffective water supply and sewage disposal
facilities affecting not only individuals but COM
munites in general" he wrote
Recipients of the letter and the boards state.
ment were requested to Inform all those who
may be concerned such as other officials in your
community, real estate developers etc. of the
boards action"
although the board prefers not to resort to
the issuance of orders for securing compliance
with the law, must inform you that such action
will be taken if necessary" Dr. Davens said in the
letter.
with your cooperation and that of others
concerned with the problem, there can be adequate
planning before construction so that legal action
will not be necessary. Such planning will benefit
not only individual home owners but the entire
community" DR.. Davens concluded
Copies of the letter and the boards statement
have been mailed to Maryland State senators and
delegates boards of county commissioners. coun-
ty councils mayors, councilmen consulting enei-
neers sanitary commissions, local and state plan.
ming commissions. and real estate boards Comics
have also been sent to the MARYLAND Municipal
League the Citizens Planning and Housing Com.
mittee of Baltimore, the Department OF Public
Works and county health department.