Why pump Mayo's sewage to Annapolis?

Why is the South River Federation supporting the County’s decision to construct a pipeline that traverses the South River to pipe sewage from the Mayo area to the Annapolis peninsula? Isn’t this risky – what if the pipeline fails? A concerned citizen recently asked us and we thought you may want to know as well.

Here is our response:

Dear Concerned Citizen,

Thank you for your inquiry.  I should start by saying that under the existing situation, the Mayo plant is discharging unacceptably high levels of nutrients to the Rhode River, and that factor is the primary driver for the new plan. The options reviewed by the committee looked at, essentially, (1) building a new wastewater treatment plant in Mayo and discharging treated effluent out at the mouth of the South River, into the Bay; or (2) pumping effluent from Mayo under the river and to the Annapolis wastewater treatment plant, which has been upgraded to the best available treatment technology and has spare capacity.

As was mentioned in the Capital article, there is already a sewer crossing under the South River, basically along the alignment of the South River bridge, and that has functioned without issue for a number of years.  The proposed new crossing would be directionally drilled under the river, and would be comprised of a seamless plastic pipe.  The likelihood of any sort of catastrophe is vanishingly small, and this provides a cost effective way to treat the waste from Mayo to the highest possible standard.  In addition, there may be the opportunity to connect some of the homes on the north side of the river, currently on septic, into the sewer network, lessening the pollution load on Harness Creek.  From an environmental and financial perspective, it's our opinion that this is the best of the proposed alternatives on the table.  Thanks again for your inquiry, and I'm happy to come discuss it further with anyone interested.

Erik Michelsen,

Executive Director, South River Federation