State To Offer Perry Hall Manor Residents Sewer Project Relief

PERRY HALL, MD — The state committed to put $5 million toward a major sewer extension project in Perry Hall Manor that county officials say will provide substantial financial relief for homeowners.

County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. also announced plans Friday to introduce legislation that would give income-based relief to homeowners for future water and/or sewer extension projects.

Baltimore County began planning for a sewer extension project in the Perry Hall Manor neighborhood in 2018 at a total estimated cost of $10.5 million.

Sewer extensions are necessary for communities with failing septic systems because of the potential for failing systems to pollute ground water and cause other health implications, county officials said.

Although Baltimore County covers half the construction cost of such projects, officials said most homeowners would have had to pay about $40,000.

With the $5 million in state funding, homeowners will now be responsible for just a fraction of these costs, which can be financed, officials said.

“Access to the public sewer system is an essential service in many neighborhoods, and we are working to ensure that extending this service does not cause financial hardship for residents,” Olszewski said.

He thanked Senators Kathy Klausmeier and Guy Guzzone for helping to secure critical funding for Perry Hall Manor.

“I look forward to working with the County Council to provide additional relief going forward,” Olszewski said.

Property owners pay for some costs associated with projects where public water and/or sewer is connected or passes by their property, according to county code. While the costs can be financed over 40 years, they may be substantial for many homeowners.

“Our combined efforts on this project will help to address environmental issues in the community and ease the economic burden on its residents,” Sen. Kathy Klausmeier said.

In 2018, Baltimore County’s Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability conducted a septic system assessment in the Perry Hall Manor neighborhood at the request of several residents and found nearly 20 percent of the homes needed immediate septic system repair, and most would need to be replaced over the next 20 years.

“Working together, the county and state came up with a plan that will address environmental issues and minimize costs to a community with many senior citizens,” Councilman David Marks said. “I wholeheartedly support the County Executive's initiative to look at ways of making sewer projects more affordable for all."

Future Legislation Proposes More Relief

To ensure Baltimore County residents will not be financially burdened by future extension projects, Olszewski said he will introduce legislation to establish an income-based credit program for water and/or sewer benefit and construction loan assessments.

The proposed credit program would offer additional relief to residents who may be subject to a Baltimore County water and/or sewer health and petition project. County officials said the program may also encourage residents who are on septic systems to connect to the Baltimore County sewer system and help reach the state of Maryland’s goal of reducing nitrogen levels.