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Town warns private sewer owner after second spill near Courtyards; public works recommends inspections
Summary
Public works reported two sewer spills at the Courtyards in six months. Jay Berry, public-works director, said the town intervened to contain a prior event and warned that future spills will prompt MDE notification and potential fines; he recommended video inspections and steps by the private system owner.
Town public-works director Jay Berry (Speaker 16) told the council the town has responded to two separate sewer spills at the Courtyards within six months and warned the private sewer owner to take corrective action.
Jay said the first event required town intervention and that the town was reimbursed; at the most recent spill the county reached out to the town but the private contractor's jetter hose ended up in the town wet well. Jay urged the private owner to perform video inspection and corrective maintenance to prevent recurring overflows and said he will notify the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) if another significant spill occurs.
“If this happens again within our town, MDE is getting called, and they're gonna take measures, which include fines and everything else,” Jay said. He recommended that the private owner produce a video and report so the town and county can understand causes and take targeted remedial action.
Councilors asked about reimbursement and how the town documents costs. Jay said the town charges actuals for emergency response and that reimbursement has historically been forthcoming when the town intervened on private systems.
Next steps: Jay will put the private owner on notice and recommend a video-inspection and remediation plan; the council requested staff follow up on reimbursement records and any recurring maintenance needs for private lines that affect town infrastructure.
