Industrial Wastewater

The Bureau of Utilities (410-313-4900) can provide information about characteristics of industrial waste entering the sanitary sewer system. The bureau regulates the discharge of industrial and commercial wastewater into the county's sanitary sewer system and can provide information about its characteristics.

Septic Systems and Wells

The Health Department's Bureau of Environmental Health (410-313-2640) performs percolation tests and issues disposal system and well construction permits for lot owners and developers.

Testing Water

Laboratories licensed by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene can do water testing. For a list or for information about your community's water supply, call Utilities (410-313-4900). Call Environmental Health (410-313-2640) for information about private wells.

Water Reclamation

The Little Patuxent Water Reclamation Plant treats wastewater, landfill leachate, septic and industrial waste. You can visit the plant; please call 410-880-5810 to make your tour arrangements.

Where Does the Wastewater Go?

If you live in the Columbia, Jessup, or Laurel area, your wastewater goes to the Little Patuxent Water Reclamation Plant in Savage. The plant treats 18 million gallons per day and is expanding capacity to 25 million gallons per day. The plant discharges reclaimed water into the Little Patuxent River.

Conservation Projects

The Recreation and Parks department (410-313-4724) coordinates volunteer projects such as stream monitoring, reforestation and wildlife habitat enhancement.

Drainage Advice

Landowners or farmers with drainage, erosion or water runoff problems can call the Soil Conservation Office (410-489-7987) for advice. The office prepares conservation plans; designs waterways, spring developments and ponds; and provides technical assistance and enforcement.

Environmental Regulations

Regulations applied during the development review process protect streams, wetlands, flood plains, forests, steep slopes and other environmental resources from adverse impacts of development. Call Planning and Zoning (410-313-2420) for information.

Land Conservation

Recreation and Parks (410-313-4724) cares for the county's 6,000 acre system of parks and open space land. Employees mow, landscape, plant wildflowers, manage wildlife habitat and wetlands, stabilize stream banks, build nature trails, control erosion and oversee conservation areas.

Open Space

If you live next to county designated open space, call the Department of Recreation and Parks (410-313-4724) for a brochure describing what the county code says you may and may not do on the open space land.

Roadside Conservation

The Bureau of Highways (410-313-7450) plants and maintains trees in rights-of-way, mows at least three times each year, May through October, and manages storm water.

Alpha Ridge Landfill

Residents can dispose of trash and recycling at the Alpha Ridge Landfill, 2350 Marriottsville Road. To use the landfill, residents need a permit (see Landfill Permits, below).

Hours of Operation: Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Phone: 410-313-6444

Directions: From Route 29 north, take Interstate 70 west to exit 83. Turn right onto Marriottsville Road. The landfill entrance is on the left.

Bay-Wise Landscape Management

This program provides knowledge and skills for neighborhood property owners to implement appropriate landscape practices. Call Cooperative Extension (410-313-1913) for details.

Composting Procedures

Learn how to use composting principles on your property to reduce landfill waste and improve garden soil. Cooperative Extension (410-313-1913) and the Bureau of Environmental Services (410-313-6444) maintain and demonstrate composting practices at four sites throughout Howard County.