Video of Raw Sewage Spill Illustrates Need for Better Protection of Streams

Jim Long, a volunteer with the Mattawoman Watershed Society in Southern Maryland, shot this video on Sunday, August 28, the morning after hurricane Irene swept through the region. The lid blew off of a sewage pipeline, spilling large quantities of raw sewage into the Marsh Springs Conservancy in Charles County and nearby Mattawoman Creek, which flows into the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay.

Jim reports that the stench was as overpowering as the amount of waste flowing past him. Here's what he wrote about the incident: "Mattawoman has been called the best fish nursery in the Bay, but growth policies (think sprawl) have recently turned the fish ecology upside down. Mattawoman critically needs a new direction."

"The plant to which the sewer line connects is only about 20 years old. Its construction permitted land speculators to begin developing the watershed, with Charles County growth and zoning polices serving as a cheerleader. The fundamental problem is one of values--trashing our streams is shrugged off as "balance," that is, as the cost of doing business."

"Fortunately, a remarkable change in the political climate of Charles County may in fact change the direction for Mattawoman and other waterways in the county. The county is revising its Comprehensive Plan. Of the three future 'scenarios' being considered, Scenario #1 actually implements true Smart Growth, with protection of stream valleys throughout the county, and attention to investment in existing urban centers."

"There are also competing scenarios that do a poor job, including one perpetuating business as usual. Getting behind Scenario #1 could create an unprecedented example of choosing Smart Growth for propserity, and for the Bay," Jim Long wrote.

You can read a description of the proposed development scenarios at: http://www.charlescountyplan.org/images/document_library/preliminary%20sce

By Tom Pelton

Chesapeake Bay Foundation

 

Comments

[Jim Cummins]

Yes, behold all of those who argue that sewers should replace septic systems. What sewered watersheds have responded well and became "restored" due to such conversion? As the writer points out, this is not a problem of an "old system." Wastewater treat plants can help in dense areas, the remarkable recovery of the Potomac from it's 1960s condition is an example, but what good does a good treatment plant do if the stuff doesn't get there in the first place. Both technologies, sewers and septics, work well if they are sited correctly, installed right, inspected regularly, and fixed IF they are broken. This example of sewer infrastructure violates all of the above - and apparently was used to support dense growth into a rural area - was that smart growth?

[Tom Pelton]

Not smart growth, no.

[Maury]

Nice reporting Tom and Jim L. is a very hard worker.

The Chesapeake Bay's Terry Cummings spoke about Charles County's march to Smart Growth in the below recent video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXCnjPzqE2Y&feature=player_embedded

[מרינה הרצליה]

I thinks its development authorized area investors to start creating the watershed, with charles nation development and zoning plans offering as a supporter.