ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — A coalition of Maryland environmental groups is calling for a four-fold increase in the so-called flush fee for sewage and septic system upgrades.
A state task force is considering recommending a doubling of the $30 fee in 2013, and increasing it to $90 for property owners in 2015.
The Clean Water, Healthy Families Coalition released its legislative agenda on Thursday, calling for an immediate increase to $10 a month, or $120 a year. Coalition members include the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the Sierra Club, Environment Maryland and the Maryland League of Conservation Voters.
Gov. Martin O’Malley has said he is considering raising the fee.
The coalition says the region is more than halfway to meeting its water pollution reduction goals and the increase is needed to make local water safe.
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