Howard Co. to describe sewer line project

Ellicott City (Map, News) - This isn’t just any sewer repair project.

Howard County officials are planning to install a parallel sewer line along a 10.5-mile stretch from Savage to Columbia. The project could take three years to complete and cost about $66 million.

“It’s considered a large project to the county,” said Kin Siew, project manager in the county’s Department of Public Works.

County officials are hosting a public meeting to show residents plans for the project and answer any questions.

The parallel sewer line is intended to offer relief for the line, which is at capacity, and plan for growth.

The project, known as the Little Patuxent Parallel Sewer project, will begin at the Water Reclamation Plant in Savage and extend north to Route 108, running through Savage Park, Kings Contrivance, Owen Brown, Oakland Mills, Wilde Lake, Dorsey Search, Town Center, Lake Kittamaqundi and Fairway Hills golf course.

Building a parallel line involves less engineering and risk of spills than replacing the old line, he said.

In July, county officials started a study of the rock and soil properties around the site to determine the design of the project, according to county officials.

The project is expected to begin in fall 2008. Howard is doing the project in phases and plans to contract out parts of the job to different companies, Siew said.

Despite its size, the construction is not expected to disrupt daily life, because most of the line is not located in the streets, he said.

Howard has been working closely with the Columbia Association, since about half of the project is on association-owned land, said Dan D’Amore, operations manager of CA’s open space division.

A considerable part of the line runs through the Fairway Hills golf course, so CA officials are working to ensure it’s done on a “schedule that minimizes disruptions,” he said.

IF YOU GO

Little Patuxent Parallel Sewer project public meeting

» When: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday

» Where: George Howard Building, 3430 Courthouse Drive, Ellicott City

smichael@baltimoreexaminer.com