Maryland Governor To End Septic Tank Best Technology Mandate

OCEAN CITY, Md. (AP) — Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan says he will be ending a statewide mandate for homeowners and businesses to use best available technology in septic systems.

The Republican made the announcement Saturday in his closing speech to the Maryland Association of Counties.

The regulations were put in place in 2012 by Hogan's predecessor, then-Gov. Martin O'Malley, a Democrat who said at the time that better technology was needed to fight pollution in the Chesapeake Bay. But Hogan says the systems are prohibitively expensive for businesses and homeowners.

The best available technology will still be required in areas near the Chesapeake Bay and coastal bays. Environment Secretary Ben Grumbles says the state will focus on failing septic systems and hooking up homes and businesses to sewer systems to better protect the environment.

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