Council conditionally approves two water-sewer category change requests tied to sewer extension

The County Council’s Transportation and Environment Committee recommended conditional approval July 15 for two water and sewer category change requests that are linked to a proposed sewer extension in the Potomac peripheral area. Committee members and staff said the first request (the Bagheri property) meets Potomac Peripheral Sewer Service policy requirements when served by a right-of-way sewer extension along Ridge Drive from the Watts Branch Drive/Circle Drive intersection. A second, adjoining property does not independently qualify under the Potomac Peripheral policy but would become eligible if the first extension moves forward.

County planning and Department of Environmental Protection staff said the preference is for extensions in the public right-of-way that minimize environmental impacts. Staff noted the recommended extension would also benefit other nearby properties that already have approvals for service. Committee members described the approach as avoiding unnecessary delays and costs for property owners by conditionally approving the second request so it can proceed once the required extension is determined feasible.

Council staff said both requests were recommended for conditional approval: the Bagheri request contingent on Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) finding the proposed right-of-way extension feasible; the second request conditioned on meeting abutting-mains policy requirements if the first extension is built.