Every county and Baltimore City are required to prepare and keep up to date 10-year Water and Sewer Plans to demonstrate how safe and adequate water and sewerage facilities will be provided to support planned redevelopment and new growth. These Plans must by law be consistent with local comprehensive plans, and must be approved by the Department of the Environment(MDE). The Department is mandated to advise the MDE concerning the consistency of these Plans and plan amendments with local comprehensive plans and other development related policies and programs. Each year, the Department reviews and comments on approximately 100 Water and Sewer Plan revisions, updates and amendments. As part of this process, the Department provides technical assistance and guidance to local governments where requested to help in the preparation of these plans.

Because of the pivotal role that water and sewer facilities and these Plans play with respect to Smart Growth, during the past year the Department has focused on enhancing the relationships between development and water and sewer facilities, by strengthening its relationship with MDE. The recent drought and several recent major sewage overflows have underscored the importance of sound long range planning for these facilities. These events have spawned several committees and study efforts directed at improving current management and long range planning. The Department has been an active and contributing member of these committees, some of which are ongoing. All of these groups are making recommendations which point out the need to both improve current management and long range planning for delivery of safe and adequate water and sewerage services. The Department expects to play a continuing role in the development and implementation of the recommendations of these committees:

• Advisory Committee on the Management and Protection of the State’s Water Resources. Report was issues in May, 2004.
• Water Security and Sewerage Systems Advisory Council
• Interagency Technical Assistance Committee on Wastewater Treatment Systems
• Water Capacity Task Force