Water Utility, Maryland Agree On Plan To Reduce Pollutants

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The utility that provides water to the Washington suburbs in Maryland has reached an agreement with state officials and environmental groups to cut pollutants discharged into the Potomac River.

Jay Apperson, spokesman for the Maryland Department of the Environment, said Wednesday that the agency and environmental groups have reached an agreement with the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission.

The commission provides drinking water to most of Montgomery County and parts of Prince George's County in Maryland. The agreement requires it to improve its Potomac Water Filtration Plant to reduce pollutants, including sediment, discharged to the river.

The pact also requires WSSC to pay a $100,000 penalty to resolve alleged violations of the facility's discharge permit.

Jerry Johnson, WSSC's CEO, says it important for the utility to move forward with the improvements.

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