Description/Purpose:
Carroll County residents have identified
adequate water supply and the safety of
water for drinking and recreation as
concerns in Community Assessments done
since the late 1990’s.
As a result, water supply and safety was
added to the original health improvement
areas as a quality of life issue. The
issue has become more pressing as the
county faces water shortages that affect
the growth and economic development of
towns and the county.
Goals and Objectives:
The goal of this core area is to promote
health for all county residents through
a healthy environment. Three objectives
identified are:
1. Monitor and improve water quality and safety.
2. Improve public awareness of well safety.
3. Raise community awareness of water conservation
measures.
Accomplishments:
The Partnership formed a work group to address these issues. Members named the group the Resource Conservation Coalition. The main focus of the group is educational and they encourage each citizen to take part in conservation and resource protection measures.
The group has provided water conservation information at many community events. They partner with the County’s Water Conservation Program, which encourages residents to take advantage of free and low-cost water saving devices available from the County. Order forms are available online at www.ccgovernment.carr.org/ccg/util/orderfrm. The Partnership work group promotes water-saving landscaping techniques, and will continue to work with the Master Gardeners program to educate the public.
The Resource Conservation Coalition has members who attend the Carroll County Environmental Advisory Council (EAC), which serves as intermediary between residents with environmental concerns and the Carroll County Commissioners. The volunteer members are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners to staggered 4-year terms. The EAC meets on the second Tuesday of each month at the County Office Building, room # 003. For more information, contact the Office of Environmental Compliance at 410-386-2756, or at www.ccgovernment.carr.org/ccg/eac/default.asp.
Resource Conservation Coalition members worked with a County planning team which drafted a County water conservation plan, submitted to the Carroll County Commissioners.
The Resource Conservation Coalition also provides information on protection of water resources. Residents should be cautious in the use of chemicals in household cleaners, pesticides and lawn care products and choose the least harmful and environmentally safe products available. Treatment to remove hazardous agents is costly.
The group has been working to educate citizens with private wells about proper maintenance of wells and sewage systems to protect their water and others in the area. Over 40% of County residents are on private wells. The Carroll County Health Department Bureau of Environmental Health has publications for homeowners called “Your Well” and “Septic System Manual”. These are available on the Carroll County Health Department web site. You may also call the Health Department at 410-876-1884 or the Resource Conservation Coalition at 410-876-4984 to request these manuals.
The Resource Conservation Coalition plans to follow future developments in Carroll County water safety and supply and work in conjunction with other County efforts.
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Resource Conservation
Coalition Partners: |
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Carroll
County Health Department - Bureau of Environmental
Health |
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Carroll
County Government - Department of Planning, Office
of Environmental Compliance |
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Carroll
County Government - Department of Public Works,
Bureau of Utilities |
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Carroll
County Cooperative Extension Office |
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Carroll
County Public Schools - Facilities |
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Carroll
County Master Gardeners |
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Department
of Recreation and Parks - Bear Branch and Piney Run
Parks |
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Prettyboy
Watershed Alliance |
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Sierra
Club, local chapter |
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Volunteers
- Students and Adults |
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Contact Information:
For more information or if you are interested in joining this work group, see Resource Conservation Coalition under Partnership Work Groups. |
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