County mandates connection to county sewer, where available.
ELKTON — If a Cecil County property can connect to the county’s main sewer system, it has to connect to the county’s main sewer system, according to a new policy enacted by the Cecil County Department of Public Works in accordance with the Cecil County Code.
Then, the home should abandon and drain their septic tank.
Extensions due to public health or environmental impact will be required immediately, with a county contractor completing the work.
In other cases, residents can choose defer the work for a 10-year period — if they want — or until a triggering event occurs, such as a title transfer except in the case of divorce or inheritance; the issuance of a building permit or subdivision proposal; or if the Cecil County Health Department determines that a septic tank system is failing, thereby posing a public health or environmental risk.
Administration officials said that cut was to provide for a economic stimulus, hoping to spark a rash of home building.
Benefit assessment fees range in cost, but could be as much as $8,000.
“Such grant funding may be available to help property owners who volunteer to connect offset the cost,” he explained.
It is our (DPW) intent to work with the Health Department and impacted property owners to help them obtain such grant funding as we recognize the cost to connect may be a hardship for some.” The benefit of switching to public sewer is twofold, Flanigan said, explaining that it benefits the environment as well as economic development.
“Some soils are better than others,” Flanigan said, explaining hat some can handle a septic tank while others can’t.