Glen Hills Area Study
The
2002 Potomac Subregion Master Plan recommended a study of septic systems and soil conditions in the Glen Hills area located southwest of Rockville. The County Council used the results of the study to evaluate and develop long-term sustainable wastewater disposal policies for these neighborhoods.
Use the following link to see background information about and actions for
septic system surveys in the Glen Hills study area.
Study Background
The majority of existing homes in the study area use wells and septic systems for their water supply and wastewater disposal. These houses were built mostly in the 1950s to 1970s, before the advent of current well and septic system testing and permitting requirements. Historically, some of these systems have failed due to age, original system design or site limitations. In some cases, the septic systems were replaced with modern designs or sewer service was extended to address these failures.
Pending the Council’s consideration of the completed study, the only justification for new sewer service in the study area was limited to the relief of documented septic system failures, as recommended in the 2002 master plan.
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) initiated work on the scope of work and contractor selection for the study in 2011. DEP conducted the study and presented results to the public in two phases.
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Phase 1 addressed existing conditions in the neighborhoods related to septic system suitability, identifying general areas where soil conditions and regulatory constraints might constrain long term septic system use.
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Phase 2 addressed possible options for both the continued use of onsite septic system service and, if necessary, the provision of public sewer service.
Study Area Map
Sewer Service Policies
With the completion of the two study phases, the County Executive provided the Phase 1 and 2 reports to the County Council along with recommendations for service policies in March 2015. (Click here for the
Executive’s transmittal memo.)
The Council subsequently requested that the Executive also provide a Water and Sewer Plan text amendment for sewer service policies based on the policy recommendations transmitted previously.
The Executive’s Recommended Sewer Service Policies and Water and Sewer Plan Text Amendment was transmitted to the Council on June 2, 2015.
Following a public hearing and work sessions, the County Council acted on March 8, 2016, to approve
resolution no. 18-423 for the Glen Hills study area. The resolution established revised sewer service policies for the study area, as follows:
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That the use of on-site septic systems continues to be the primary wastewater disposal method within the study area, consistent with master plan recommendations and Water and Sewer Plan service policies.
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That the provision of public sewer service continues to be used to relieve cases involving documented septic system failures, as needed.
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That the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Department of Permitting Services (DPS) coordinate to evaluate and recommend—only as needed—the establishment of special sewer service areas within Glen Hills. These are areas where future septic system repair or replacement limitations may require the eventual use of public sewer service. The inclusion of such an area in the County’s Water and Sewer Plan will require the approval of the County Council.
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That the use of the Water and Sewer Plan’s "abutting mains" service policy be restored within the study area. This policy allows for only a single sewer connection for an existing property abutting an existing or approved sewer main. The policy is designed so as not to promote the subdivision or resubdivision of existing properties using public sewer service.
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That the provisions of the Piney Branch restricted sewer service access policy remain unchanged for those parts of the study area located within the Piney Branch subwatershed of Watts Branch.
The resolution also directed the Planning Board to conduct a strictly limited amendment to the 2002 master plan for the study area to address some residents’ concerns regarding septic system limitations. In subsequent budget discussions, the Council chose not to fund the limited master plan amendment for FY 2018. The Council instead requested Executive staff to investigate whether the issue could be addressed by another amendment to the Water and Sewer Plan. DEP staff have begun the work.
Glen Hills Study Document Links:
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The Executive’s Recommended Sewer Service Policies and Water and Sewer Plan Text Amendment
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The Executive’s transmittal memo for the Phase 1 and 2 Reports and Sewer Service Policy Recommendations
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The Phase 1 Report (PDF, 17.14 MB)
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The Phase 2 Report (PDF, 6.3.MB)
Glen Hills Area Sanitary Study and Reports
DEP conducted the study in two phases. DEP presented the overall plan for the study at an introductory public meeting held on February 21, 2012.
Phase 1 Study and Report
The intent of Phase 1 of this study was to determine the present status of septic systems in Glen Hills and to evaluate the potential sustainability of the existing septic systems in the study area. DEP presented the results of Phase 1 of the study to the public on June 12, 2012. Phase 1 involved:
- The collection of information about wells and septic systems in the study area;
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The identification of sensitive environmental features in the study area;
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A review of local conditions affecting well and septic system suitability such as soils, topography, and drainage patterns; and
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An evaluation of these conditions to understand where on-site systems are likely to have reasonable longevity and where those systems are likely to encounter problems in the long term.
Phase 1 Report (PDF, 17.14 MB)
Phase 2 Study and Report
Phase 2 of the study looked at those parts of the study area where Phase 1 found conditions that could limit the long-term use of the existing septic systems and limit the replacement of these systems in the future. Phase 2 evaluated options for using conventional or innovative septic system technologies or public sewer service to ensure the sustainability of the neighborhood’s wastewater disposal needs.
Use this link to see a more detailed scope of work for phase 2 of the study. DEP presented the results of Phase 2 of the study to the public on April 18, 2013.
Together, the results of the two phases of this study were used to provide the County Council with an evaluation of the suitability of septic systems in the Glen Hills Area and options that may need to be available to promote the sustainability of this community.
Phase 2 Report
(PDF, 6.3.MB)
Study Partners
DEP conducted outreach to residents and property owners in the study area, including:
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Glen Hills
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Glen Hills Club Estates
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North Glen Hills
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Potomac Highlands
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Portions of Glen Park
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Portions of Hollinridge
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Portions of Lakewood Estates
- Portions of Lakewood Glen
DEP conducted the study in conjunction with the following contractor and agencies:
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A. Morton Thomas & Associates, Inc. - Consulting Engineer hired by DEP
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Department of Permitting Services
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Maryland – National Capital Park and Planning Commission
- Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (Phase II only)
Public Participation
DEP sent a survey to all property owners in the study area requesting their feedback on the history and condition of on-site wells and septic systems. DEP received surveys back from approximately one-third of the area’s residents.
DEP also requested participation from residents and civic association representatives in a Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC). Twelve residents were selected as members for the CAC from over 30 volunteers;
please click to see a list of the CAC members (PDF, 23KB).
The CAC met regularly throughout the study process with DEP staff to review and comment on the ongoing progress and results of the study. CAC meetings were open to the public, not just to the CAC members.
DEP held three public meetings throughout the study process.
- The first, in February 2012, provided background about onsite systems and their use in the community, introduced the study’s purpose and scope, and previewed the steps for the Phase 1 part of the study.
- The second public meeting, held in June 2012, provided information from the draft Phase 1 report and previewed the Phase 2 part of the study.
- The third public meeting, held in April 2013, provided information from the draft Phase 2 report and presented the next steps towards the County Council’s consideration of sewer service policies for the study area.
Sewer Service Policy Process
County Executive’s Recommendations
As recommended by the
2002 Potomac Subregion Master Plan
, the goal of the Glen Hills Study was to provide information on which the County Council could base appropriate policies for wastewater disposal service within the study area. With the completion of the study reports, the County Executive has provided these reports to the County Council along with recommendations for service policies. Links for the two study reports are provided below; click here to view the
Executive’s transmittal memo
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As requested by the County Council, the Executive has also provided a recommended Water and Sewer Plan text amendment for sewer service policies for the Glen Hills study area.
The Executive’s Recommended Sewer Service Policies and Water and Sewer Plan Text Amendment was transmitted to the Council in June 2015.
In brief, the County Executive recommended the following service policies:
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That the use of on-site septic systems continues to be the primary wastewater disposal method within the study area, consistent with master plan recommendations and Water and Sewer Plan service policies.
That the provision of public sewer service continues to be used to relieve cases involving documented septic system failures, as needed. -
That the Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Dept. of Permitting Services (DPS) coordinate to evaluate and recommend—only as needed—the establishment of special sewer service areas within Glen Hills. These are areas where future septic system repair or replacement limitations may require the eventual use of public sewer service. The inclusion of such an area in the County’s Water and Sewer Plan will require the approval of the County Council.
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That the use of the Water and Sewer Plan’s "abutting mains" service policy be restored within the study area. This policy allows for only a single sewer connection for an existing property abutting an existing or approved sewer main. The policy is designed so as not to promote the subdivision or resubdivision of existing properties using public sewer service.
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That the provisions of the Piney Branch restricted sewer service access policy remain unchanged for those parts of the study area located within the Piney Branch subwatershed of Watts Branch.
The Executive’s transmittal memo also recognized that, at present, sewer extension costs far exceed the costs for replacement septic systems and for sewer service connections to existing mains. This applies county-wide, not just in the study area. The County is pursuing the design of a modified water and sewer main extension process in co-operation with the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) and the Prince George’s County government. The purpose of a modified process is to improve the affordability of new main construction where needed for individual property owners throughout the county.
County Council's Consideration and Action
On receipt of the County Executive’s recommended service policy text amendment, the County Council established a public hearing date. The hearing was held on September 24, 2015. Following the closing of the hearing record, the Council held three work sessions for the Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy, and Environment (T&E) Committee. The committee considered the recommendations provided by the Executive, Planning Board, and Council staff, and testimony provided by the public, to develop a draft resolution for the Council’s consideration. The work sessions were help on October 26 and November 16, 2015 and on January 21, 2016.
The full Council took up the T&E Committee’s policy recommendations in a work session on March 1, 2016. The Council continued that work session on March 8, 2016, and also approved resolution no. 18-423 for the Glen Hills study area.
State Consideration
The County Council transmitted resolution no. 18-423 for review to the Maryland Dept. of the Environment (MDE), Water Management Administration, on March 21, 2016. Under State law, MDE had 90 days to evaluate the resolution, at which point, MDE must either concur with, disallow, or disallow in part the Council’s action. MDE provided concurrence with the Council’s resolution in a letter dated June 20, 2016.Study and Sewer Policy Chronology by Year
June 20, 2016
Maryland Dept. of the Environment provides concurrence with resolution no. 18-423.
March 8, 2016
Full Council work session and decision on the T&E Committee recommendations for the sewer policy text amendment. Council resolution no. 18-423.
March 1, 2016
Full Council work session on the T&E Committee recommendations for the sewer policy text amendment.
January 21, 2016
Third Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy, and Environment (T&E) Committee work session on the proposed sewer policy text amendment.
October 26, and November 16, 2015
First and second Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy, and Environment (T&E) Committee work sessions on the proposed sewer policy text amendment.
September 24, 2015
Planning Board hearing and recommendations on the proposed sewer policy text amendment.
September 17, 2015
County Council public hearing on the Executive’s recommended sewer policy text amendment.
June 2, 2015
County Executive transmitted to the County Council a recommended Water and Sewer Plan text amendment for sewer service policies in the Glen Hills area.
March 30, 2015
County Executive transmitted to the County Council the Glen Hills Areas Sanitary Study Phase 1 and Phase 2 reports and related sewer service policy recommendations.
October 4, 2013
DEP posted the final versions of the Phase 1 Report (PDF, 17.14MB) and Phase 2 Report (PDF, 6.3MB) to the Glen Hills Study webpage.
April 17, 2013
Third Public Meeting: DEP presented and received feedback on the Phase 2 draft report developed by DEP and its contractor and on the next steps involved with bringing the study findings to the County Council.
March 18, 2013
Glen Hills Study Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting included continued discussion of the draft Phase 2 report, and review of changes made to the Phase 1 report in response to community comments.
December 17, 2012
The Glen Hills Study Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC) included further discussion of Phase 2 of the study and of the upcoming third public meeting.
November 19, 2012
The Glen Hills Study Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting included a continuing discussion on Phase 2 of the project, looking at both on-site septic and public sewer options for the designated Areas of Interest from Phase 1.
October 15, 2012
Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting included discussion of the Phase 1 report and concepts for sewer service policies.
September 10, 2012
Glen Hills Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting: included a discussion on the startup of Phase 2 of the study.
September 4, 2012
Phase 1 Final Report completed.
July 9, 2012
The Glen Hills Study Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting included discussions on plans for the Phase 1 Final Report and plans for work on Phase 2 of the project.
June 12, 2012
Second Public Meeting: DEP presented and received feedback on the Phase 1 draft report developed by DEP and its contractor.
May 7, 2012
The Glen Hills Study Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting included a presentation from the study contractor on the progress of data collection from a variety of sources and pending data analysis.
February 21, 2012
First Glen Hills Study public meeting: topics included overall scope of the study, background on wells and septic systems, planned public outreach efforts, and review of the elements of the Phase 1 part of the study.
Tab 4
Septic System Maintenance Guidelines
In response to requests made for information on septic system maintenance at the public meeting on February 21, 2012, we have added a link to the Septic Records and Maintenance Guidelines document available in print format from the Department of Permitting Services, Well and Septic Section. For additional information, visit DEP's Well and Septic System page. DEP has also posted a Septic/Sewer Q&A Information-document to address some of the more commonly-asked questions posed by the public during the study process.More Information
If you have questions for DEP staff about the Glen Hills Area Sanitary Study, please contact DEP at either 311 (240-777-0311 outside the County) or [email protected]. The Project Manager for this project at DEP is Alan Soukup.
The County Council’s action to establish a new sewer service policy for the Glen Hills study area included a provision for surveys of the neighborhood’s septic systems to consider the continued use of septic systems or the need to provide public sewer service on an area-wide basis. Property owners request as survey for their and neighboring properties, typically to address concerns about failed or aging systems, those with obsolete technology, or those that have no area for future repairs. The Departments of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Permitting Services (DPS) conduct these surveys and, through the County Executive, make sewer service recommendations to the County Council. Where public sewer service is needed, the recommendations will include sewer service area category changes for the affected properties, as appropriate.
South Overlea Drive Septic System Survey
Based on requests from nine property owners, DEP and DPS conducted a survey of 24 properties along the 9400 through 9700 blocks of Overlea Drive, starting in October 2016. In April 2017, the following reports were transmitted by the County Executive to the Council with a recommendation to designate 16 properties within the survey area as part of a special sewer service area approved for public sewer service:
- Executive’s Transmittal and Category Change Packet
- South Overlea Drive Septic Survey Report
- South Overlea Drive Septic Survey Technical Appendix
In July 2017, the Council approved the Executive’s service recommendations under Resolution No. 18-888 .