Maryland House Bill HB621

Maryland 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/22
• Refer: 1/31/22

Caption

Sewage Treatment Plants - Effluent Discharges - Monitoring, Evaluation, and Inspection

Impact

This legislation stipulates that should a sewage treatment plant have discharged effluents beyond permissible limits, failed to perform basic operational and maintenance tasks, or neglected to submit an updated wastewater capacity plan, the Department is required to hire an inspector. This inspector's role is to oversee the operations at the plant and ensure compliance with discharge permits, thus enhancing accountability and operational standards for these facilities.

Summary

House Bill 621 addresses the monitoring and regulation of effluent discharges from sewage treatment plants in the state. The bill mandates that the Department of the Environment must actively monitor the effluent released from these plants, particularly assessing the impact on local midge populations and the broader aquatic ecosystem. By evaluating whether nutrients in the effluent contribute to phytoplankton growth, the bill emphasizes a proactive approach to environmental protection.

Contention

Notably, the provision for on-site inspectors introduces a new level of oversight that may be viewed as a necessary safeguard by environmental advocates but could be seen as unnecessary regulation by some stakeholders in the industry. Critics may argue this could increase operational costs and require additional resources for sewage treatment plants already facing budget constraints. However, supporters contend that ensuring adherence to environmental standards and safeguarding local ecosystems justify such measures.