LA PLATA, Md. (March 18, 2010)—On Thursday, March 11, the Charles County Commissioners held a public forum for owners, operators and residents of private water systems within the County. This forum was held as part of the outreach objectives of the Charles County Water Resources Advisory Committee which serves as a research and advisory group to the Charles County Commissioners. Private water system participants were invited to attend the forum to exchange information among other system participants, system owners and operators, as well as State and County officials. The program consisted of speakers from the Maryland Department of the Environment, the College of Southern Maryland's Center for Environmental Training, and the non-profit organizations Maryland Rural Water Association and Maryland Rural Development Corporation.
Approximately 50 guests attended from various communities throughout the County that obtain their water supply from a private community water system. The overall purpose of the forum was to provide information to these community members and system operators with regard to current regulatory requirements, water system evaluations, funding programs for system improvements, and learn about operational training opportunities.
Mr. Dave Wagner, State Circuit Rider for the Maryland Rural Water Association, gave an overview of the resources available from his organization. Ms. Dee Whitcomb from the Engineering and Technical Assistance Division of the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) explained the role of the Water Supply Program in monitoring and assisting private water system owners and operators. Ms. Elaine Dietz from the Maryland Water Quality Financing Administration presented funding opportunities for private water system owners. Ms. Joyce DeLaurentis provided an overview of the Resources of the Maryland Rural Community Assistance Program. Ms. Karen Brandt presented training opportunities at the College of Southern Maryland’s Maryland Center for Environmental Training.
The meeting concluded with a brief discussion of the County’s Petition Process to assume water system operations, followed by a question and answer session with the guests and panel of experts.
The meeting was facilitated by Mr. Jason Groth, Chairman of the Water Resource Advisory Committee and Mr. Zakary Krebeck, Senior Resource Planner with the Charles County Department of Planning and Growth Management.
Source: Charles County Government