That's just a state of mind. Fact is, it's a service, and one that's for the better of all in heavily populated areas. Especially near streams, rivers, bodies of water. Basically, I don't care one bit if someone has a well or city water. For me it's 100% the septic system that's a concern. I know many people in my area w/ both well and city water. They have city water that goes to their kitchen and bathrooms, and well water that goes to all outside spigots. They have 2 meters, and the well meter is subtracted from their city meter so they aren't being charged for city sewage fees associated w/ overall water usage. But when I think of "Control", it's more the lack of control of
other people's countless failed aging septic systems that have been leeching into my beloved Severn River for the past 50+ years. And when they are given a bid from a septic service to replace the old system,(15-30k!) and they see it'll take a major chunk out of their life savings, if they can even afford it at all, it just gets put off., and their fecal soup continues to leech into the river. Many of these waterfront communities are old vacation home communities from the days before the Bay Bridge gave millions of vacationers access to the Atlantic beaches. Most of the old cottages have now been replaced by big houses, and with that came city water and sewage. But, there are still LOTS of private homes in the area that aren't part of a community, and they are largely responsible for the poor health of the river. As newer communities were built in the proximity of these private homes, those with outdated septics were connected to city sewage, and just in the last 5-6 years, the Severn has been in the early stages of seeing sea grasses and other aquatic plants flourish. Talking to some of the old timer watermen, they say it's finally starting to look like it did back when they were a kid. Back when watermen actually use to work the Severn. Something they haven't been able to do in many decades. I'm out fishing on my kayak every weekend, but will not eat
anything that comes out of this river. Not until the people with "control" quit controlling the environment and lives of everyone else.
Anne Arundel County, Maryland
www.aacounty.org