Residents in a number of historic Montgomery County neighborhoods are enlisting the help of Congressman Albert Wynn to fund what they say are critical improvements to failing septic systems in their areas.
Perhaps the most vocal advocate for fixing the problem, Patrick Darby, told The Examiner that in historic Clarksburg about 20 homes like his are in dire need of being connected to a functioning sewer line that would run through that section of town.
The problem is it could cost several million dollars to install a new system and hook individual homes up to that line, and Montgomery County’s government has a firm policy against financing sewer and septic systems.
That’s where Wynn fits in. Darby late last week was among a group who met with the congressman in a plea for help securing federal dollars. Wynn, a Democrat, represents Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.
Wynn told The Examiner on Tuesday he was very concerned about the situation and that it was type of constituent problem that would take a lot of searching to get answers.
“It’s a significant problem for the homeowner,” he said, adding that the deficiencies extend well past Clarksburg into Boyds, Damascus and other older developed cities and towns in the county.
In response to the informational meeting, Wynn said he first needs to get a handle on the true replacement cost from the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, as he’s heard different rate quotes from citizens.
Then, it’s a matter of identifying a suitable federal or state funding source. Darby told the congressman about several community block grants administered through the Maryland Department of the Environment.
And Wynn said his early guess is that the funding program could be feasible.
For Darby, the failing septic tank issue goes back 30 years. His family has tried to install a new sewer line for just that long, yet experienced resistance at the county level.
“This is a large problem and very expensive to fix,” he said. “One system is so bad, the waste water is running along the street’s storm swale. If my suspicions are correct, the rest of the district is in a similar condition.”
