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Charles County has started a program to evaluate the sanitary sewer system on Cobb Island. The purpose of this study is to find sources of water infiltration and inflow. During wet weather, infiltration and inflow can increase the flow to sanitary sewers to the point of overload.
Infiltration and inflow are terms that describe groundwater and storm water that enter the sanitary sewers.
Infiltration is groundwater that enters sanitary sewers through leaks in pipes or septic tanks. Inflow is storm water that is directed to the sanitary sewer through connections such as roof downspouts, driveway drains and groundwater sump pumps.
The sanitary sewers are meant to carry only wastewater, which comes from fixtures such as sinks, toilets, bathtubs, showers and washers. This wastewater then enters your septic tank, where the liquid portion is pumped out and conveyed to Breeze Farm Treatment Facility. When infiltration and inflow enter the sanitary sewer, they take up pipe space that is required for the wastewater. The infiltration and inflow can cause sewer backups and overflows into the environment during wet weather. They can also cause overloading at the treatment facility.
Infiltration can be reduced by repairing existing leaky pipelines, manholes and septic tanks. Inflow that is connected to the sanitary sewer system must be diverted to an acceptable location. This flow belongs on the ground surface or in drainage ditches.
Charles County Department of Utilities has hired a contractor to collect data on the sewer system on Cobb Island and in Chigger City. You may notice them opening manholes, sending a camera through the sewers or looking at connections on houses and in driveways. It may also be necessary to inspect the septic tanks in residents’ yards.
After the locations and extent of the infiltration and inflow are established, methods for addressing any problems will be determined. As work continues, this website will be updated with the project status and findings.
Mr. Karl L. Ott,
Pretreatment Technician,
Charles County Department of Utilities
5310 Hawthorne Road
La Plata, MD 20646
(301) 609-7400