Howard County?s sewage systems can handle planned growth, but an influx of residents to the area may prompt officials to review the county?s development plans.
“Right now everything is basically OK, but it remains to be seen if we change” the county?s development plan and housing limits, Public Works Director Jim Irvin said.
Howard?s sewage treatment capacity is “limited” for projected residential growth through 2015, according to Maryland Department of the Environment data submitted to the state?s Planning Department.
The state reviewed wastewater capacity and water supply sources for jurisdictions affected by the federal Base Realignment and Closure measure. Howard?s water supply sources were deemed “adequate.”
Howard?s General Plan, last updated in 2000, guides development decisions and forecasts population and housing.
The plan looks ahead 20 years, and halfway through, the plan is updated, said Kimberley Flowers, deputy director of Howard?s Planning and Zoning Department.
Every few years, zoning officials review the county?s progress on the plan. The next report is expected early next year.
“There may be something that would say we need to expedite some of our planning, but that schedule still needs to be determined,” Flowers said.
Although the sewage capacity may be suitable for forecasted residential growth, commercial development could be another story.
“If we have a continuation of what has happened in the past, there will not be any problems, but if for some reason, there is a huge influx in a year or two, there could be a potential problem,” Irvin said.
Since Howard isn?t directly affected by BRAC, the information isn?t cause for alarm, but should be monitored, MDE spokesman Robert Ballinger said.
