The Friends of Rock Creek have asked me to pass on an important message about a meeting to be held next week, on July 20 (see below).
The meeting will address possible sewer work to be done in the Rock Creek Stream Valley which may be done to address the problem of sewer overflows. Sewage seepage is one of the biggest problems we have in the urban creeks of the older, more established neighborhoods of Montgomery County, Maryland.
Essentially, the problem began about sixty years ago when many of the post war neighborhoods were built. As was common in many areas during the time, sewage lines were put in the area where there could be no building; that is, they were installed close to the stream valleys. At the time, planners were of the opinion that the sewers were far enough from the streams to still be accessible for repairs. Much of the material installed had a useful life of about sixty years. Some of it included things like terra cotta piping.
Essentially, the problem began about sixty years ago when many of the post war neighborhoods were built. As was common in many areas during the time, sewage lines were put in the area where there could be no building; that is, they were installed close to the stream valleys. At the time, planners were of the opinion that the sewers were far enough from the streams to still be accessible for repairs. Much of the material installed had a useful life of about sixty years. Some of it included things like terra cotta piping.
Well, sixty years has passed -- and then some. And now those pipes are giving out. Exacerbating the problem is soil erosion and creek migration. Creeks and streams are not as static as people liked to think in midcentury America. They move and change, and in some cases heavy development has made the streams run stronger, bigger and faster than ever before, too. So, those old pipes that used to be so modern and efficient are giving out. In some streams, including some in the Rock Creek watershed, sewage flows are especially a problem after large storm events.
"Under an EPA consent decree, WSSC is required to make improvements in the sewer infrastructure. This work will require extensive digging and construction in and along the Montgomery County portion of Rock Creek," states the flyer from FORCE. They are inviting (actually urging) the public to come learn about WSSC's plans and how they may affect each section of creek....We know that not everyone is interested in sewers, but we are--and hope you and others are too!"
Meeting details:
July 20, 7:30 pm
Meadowbrook Park Activity Building
901 Meadowbrook Lane
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
July 20, 7:30 pm
Meadowbrook Park Activity Building
901 Meadowbrook Lane
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
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