Smart growth and the septic tank: Wastewater treatment and growth management in the Baltimore region

The purpose of this study is to determine the degree to which residential development in the Baltimore region utilizes septic systems, specifically in the context of Maryland's Priority Funding Area (PFA) policy. Our results indicate that residential development in designated growth areas within the five counties surrounding Baltimore City has, in general, been successfully tethered to sewer infrastructure. However, since passage of Maryland's PFA law, development that utilizes septic tanks has grown significantly and, in some cases, growth has occurred inside PFAs generally when there is a lack of existing sewer services. The proliferation of septic systems is a concern because it encourages low-density sprawl-like development, and has negative environmental consequences since these systems are a non-point source for nitrogen, a major pollutant of concern in the Chesapeake Bay.

► We examine the extent and nature of septic system development in the Baltimore region before and after Maryland's Priority Funding Area policy.
► Since passage of Maryland's PFA program, residences that utilize on-site septic systems have been built inside PFAs.
► Reliance on septic systems for residential development has negative environmental consequences for the Chesapeake Bay.