GROUNDWATER LEVELS SIGNAL END FOR PERC TESTING THIS SEASON

(LEONARDTOWN, MD) April 2, 2007 -- Due to declining seasonal groundwater levels, St. Mary’s County Health Department Environmental Health Services division announced today that wet season percolations testing will be suspended at close of business April 30, 2007.

Staff schedules are currently filled through April 13 with limited availability through the end of April. Groundwater levels are tracked through a network of monitoring wells. The observation that the seasonal conditions required for perc testing are expiring has prompted the suspension.

According to the health department, all previously scheduled perc tests will be conducted. Any perc test request not scheduled by April 30 will be placed on hold until the monitoring wells' water levels return to adequate “wet season” levels, expected in 2008. Applications that are held until the 2008 “wet season” will be eligible for refund.

For more information, please contact Environmental Health Services at 301-475-4321.