The Anne Arundel County Council on Monday will consider several bills that could require new septic tanks and sprinklers in certain houses.
One bill would require homes near environmentally sensitive areas to install nitrogen-reducing machines to replaced or repaired septic tanks.
The mandate, proposed by Councilman Jamie Benoit, D-Crownsville, is contingent on state funding, since the upgrades cost about $17,000 and many have feared passing such costs onto taxpayers.
The requirement would reduce excess nitrogen blamed for killing aquatic life in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.
Another bill would require all newly built houses to install sprinkler systems, a requirement that will become part of the international building code in two years.
Councilwoman Cathy Vitale, R-Severna Park, proposed the bill, which has gained support from the council and Anne Arundel’s administration, but not from home builders, who say homeowners should decide if they wanted to pay for the added safety.
Anne Arundel residents also may get a tax credit if the council approves a bill granting a break for those who buy electricity-generating solar panels.
But some are concerned that this tax break might hurt the county’s budget, which is strained by declining tax revenue and state funding.
