Charles Co. Gov. News Briefs


Sewage Overflow Reported Near St. Charles Parkway and St. Marks Drive in Waldorf

In accordance with the guidelines established by the Maryland Department of the Environment, the Charles County Department of Public Works' Utilities Division and the Charles County Department of Health report an accidental sewage overflow occurred at a manhole adjacent to St. Charles Parkway near the intersection with St. Marks Drive in Waldorf, Maryland.

According to the Department of Public Works, an accumulation of grease blocked the sewer line, resulting in an overflow at the manhole. The overflow discharged raw sewage, estimated to be in excess of 10,000 gallons, into an unnamed tributary of Zekiah Swamp Run. The exact amount of the overflow is not immediately known and will require further investigation.

The Department of Public Works responded to a telephone call from a local resident at 10:30 a.m. on March 12, 2016, about the overflow, which was cleared by 12:30 pm.

“No homes were affected, and the line has been cleared and is again flowing freely,” per the Department of Public Works.

An advisory has been posted in the affected area of St. Charles Parkway and the adjacent stream to alert the public to temporarily avoid all contact with the stream channel. The advisory will be in effect until otherwise notified by the Charles County Department of Health.

The Department of Public Works will be sampling the affected waters downstream of the overflow for the next few days.

For more information, please call the Department of Public Works' Utilities Division at 301-609-7400, or the Charles County Department of Health at 301-609-6759.

Shred Event Scheduled for May 14 to Feature Rain Barrel and Compost Workshops

The Department of Public Works is hosting an environmental outreach event on Saturday, May 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Charles County Government Building parking lot (200 Baltimore Street, La Plata). Backyard composting and rain barrel workshops, as well as free document shredding are available. Advance registration for workshops is required.

Charles County Government and the University of Maryland Extension staff are offering one hour workshops for rain barrels and composting. The first rain barrel and compost bin workshops begin at 10:30 a.m.

Shred Event

• Free, secure, on-site shredding services available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Bring up to five boxes (per vehicle) of personal documents for shredding and recycling.

• Event is for Charles County residents only.

• For more information, call the Department of Public Works’ Environmental Resources Division, 301-932-3599 or 301-870-2778.

Rain Barrel Workshop

• Take home a rain barrel and learn proper in-home installation techniques, practical uses for rain barrels, and how to reduce the impact of runoff on local waterways.

• Become eligible for a stormwater remediation fee credit.

• Advance registration is required. Register at www.go.umd.edu/ccrainbarrel, or for more information, call Erica Hahn at 301-396-5237 or Jackie Takacs at 240-393-6508.

• Registration deadline is Sunday, May 1.

Composting Workshop

• Construct a compost bin and learn how to create quality compost in your backyard.

• Registration is required. Register at www.compostworkshop.eventbrite.com.

• For more information, call Department of Public Works’ Environmental Resources Division, at 301-932-3569 or Luke Gustafson at 301-934-5403.

• Registration deadline is Sunday, May 1.

For registration forms and additional information, visit www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/Outreach. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.

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