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Clean County Initiative

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Clean County Initiative

Washington County’s Clean County Initiative is an integration of the County’s compliance efforts for the Federal Clean Water Act. Regulations are set by the Environmental Protection Agency and administered by the Maryland Department of the Environment. Washington County has compliance requirements on multiple water quality standards; each has a specific purpose, but improvement efforts can have overlapping benefits. The County budgets for stormwater retrofits, stream restorations, and tree plantings.

If you see illegal trash dumping or illicit discharges please report them through our online forms:

Clean County Clean-Ups

Learn about upcoming Clean County Events by signing up to our newsletter! You will also receive a FREE PDF copy of the children’s book Marew’s Stormwater Adventure.

These events qualify for students’ SSL hours.

For additional information, please contact the Clean County Initiative at [email protected].

Street Sweeper Truck

Street Sweeper Truck Washington County has developed a program for cleaning roads in urbanized areas by street sweeping. This sweeper is able to clean out stormwater inlets. The benefits of this include:

200 Miles of Street Sweeping =
525 lbs. reduction in nitrogen
210 lbs. reduction in phosphorus
32 tons reduction in sediment

Mass Loading for Street Sweeping=
(Assuming 150 tons collected)
42 Ac Impervious Acre Equivalent (IAE)

These benefits of the street sweeper will: Reduce credits for Chesapeake Bay and Local Watershed TMDLs and NPDES Permit credit and IAE reduction.

Clean County Street Sweeper Achieves Five Million Pound Milestone

Clean County Initiative Dashboard

Streetsweeper Total Pounds by Fiscal Year

Total Pounds by Category
(Clean County Crew)

Total Pounds by Category
(Highway Department)

Environmental Management and Clean County Information

Pet Waste Cleanup

Did you know that due to a high protein diet, pet waste is highly acidic and will burn grass? Through partnership with PetSmart, Washington County has placed 70 pet waste stations in seven county parks. Properly disposing of your pet’s waste reduces the amount of water polluting materials and bacteria in our streams and storm drains. Please remember to clean up after your pets while you are walking and enjoy the many outdoor activities Washington County has to offer.

Rain Barrel

A rain barrel is a system that collects and stores rainwater from your roof that would otherwise be lost to run off and diverted to storm drains and streams. Lawn and garden watering make up nearly 40% of total household water use during the summer. A rain barrel collects water and stores it for when you need it most – during periods of droughts to water plants, wash your car or add water to your swimming pool. Saving water not only helps protect the environment, but it could save you money!

Stream Restoration & Tree Planting

Washington County and organizations such as the Board of Education and the Antietam Watershed Alliance, participate in numerous stream cleanups and tree plantings around the county. Numerous items have been removed and disposed appropriately from many Washington County areas that help keep streams and the environment clean. For more information or to become a volunteer, please contact the Division of Environmental Management.

Septic Stewardship

Click on the image above to download our Septic Stewardship Guide.

The septic tank is an underground watertight container that is usually made with concrete, fiberglass or polyethylene. It holds wastewater long enough for solids to settle out to form sludge, oil and grease to float to the surface as scum. It allows partial decomposition of solid materials. 

Environmental Management and Clean County Information

Environmental Management

16232 Elliott Parkway
Williamsport, MD 21795

Phone: (240) 313-2600
Fax: (240) 313-2601

Office Hours:  Monday – Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm

TTY users may call any government office through the Maryland Relay Service 1-800-735-2258

Liberal Leave is in effective for Washington County Government

LIBERAL LEAVE IS IN EFFECT FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY GOVERNMENT

Liberal leave is in effect for all non-essential personal on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, until noon. Essential personnel are expected to fulfill their duties as usual.

The starting time for today’s Board of County Commissioners meeting will be reevaluated at 9:00 am.

For those required to travel, exercise caution on the roadways. If driving is necessary, ensure your vehicle is completely cleared, drive at a reduced speed, practice caution, and avoid crowding or passing plows.
 
We’ll keep the public informed of any changes. Stay updated by monitoring Washington County Government’s website and social media channels for the latest information. Your safety is our priority!