Berlin staff warn new state advisory rule will add work even as grants push key water and sewer projects forward

Summary

Town staff said a July change to Maryland Department of the Environment guidance will require more boil-water notices and 24-hour testing after certain outages, even as recently confirmed state funding and grants for water-main phases, a new well and sewer main work advance the town’s capital plan.

Berlin officials on Tuesday told the council that a new Maryland Department of the Environment reporting requirement set to take effect July 1 will create extra work for town crews even as state grants and loans advance several water and sewer capital projects.

Natalie, the staff member who led the water presentation, said MDE is now asking towns to issue proactive full water advisories when an outage affects more than five service connections and to begin additional bacteriological testing that can take 24 hours to produce results. "I dread it. I've fought it. I've spoken my displeasure with it," she said, adding that the town expects MDE to provide a template letter but that additional staff time and resident outreach will be required.

Why it matters: the town’s revenue projections cover operating costs but do not fully fund capital upgrades, staff said. That gap means projects will rely heavily on…

Berlin staff warn new state advisory rule will add work even as grants push key water and sewer projects forward

Summary

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