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Applicant Maxey urges grant-funded fixes after EPA lists local streams as impaired
Summary
John Maxey, an applicant for the Charles Town Utility Board, told councilors that several Jefferson County streams are EPA‑listed as impaired and urged pursuing federal grant funding and septage‑acceptance options to address failing septic systems and PFAS concerns.
John Maxey, applying for a seat on the Charles Town Utility Board, told the council the town faces mounting water‑quality challenges and said the utility board must be part of watershed planning and remediation efforts.
Maxey told the council that “The federal EPA has now listed 7 streams in Jefferson County, including the Evits Run on the 3 0 3 d list of impaired streams, which under the Clean Water Act, we will now be required by federal mandate to try to improve.” He said that designation both imposes obligations and creates eligibility for federal funding that the utility board and council should pursue.
On how to reduce septic failures, Maxey recommended grant matches and local septage acceptance. “Repairing or replacing a septic system can be really expensive for a family, like 15 to $20,000,” he said, suggesting the utility or council seek federal match funds and evaluate whether the utility could accept and treat septage to lower costs for residents.
Maxey also raised PFAS as an emerging issue, saying state and federal programs would soon require evaluation of PFAS sources and remediation planning. He emphasized communication across planning, elected officials and utilities to avoid poorly planned, costly infrastructure projects.
