End of O’Malley-era regulation will save business owners money.
Gov. Hogan Rolls Back Statewide Sewer Mandate
In 2012, then-Gov. Martin O’Malley instituted a statewide mandate that required homeowners and businesses to use the best available technology for their septic systems in order to best protect the environment and prevent pollution of the Chesapeake Bay. Last month, however, Gov. Larry Hogan announced he will be rolling back this regulation.
Since the regulations were put in place, county officials noted that they impeded economic development and builders said they added thousands of dollars to new construction costs without any concrete evidence that it makes any difference. In his announcement, Gov. Hogan said the septic systems required by the rule are prohibitively expensive for businesses and homeowners.
However, homeowners and businesses in environmentally critical areas—near Chesapeake Bay and other coastal bays—will still be required to use the best available technology for septic systems, but the state will focus on failing systems and connecting homes and businesses to sewer systems for better environmental protection.
