ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

Until its charter was approved by voters in 1948, Montgomery County was loosely governed by elected County commissioners. Their function was almost exclusively administrative, as almost all local laws were enacted by the Maryland General Assembly, which generally deferred to the opinions of the County delegation. No authority was in force for water and sewer planning or oversight, and the County thus contained a hodgepodge of municipal and private water and sewerage systems.

In recognition of the inadequacy of the commissioners' authority and resources, in 1916 the General Assembly created the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) and transferred water and sewerage responsibilities to it. The Commission consisted at first of three members, one appointed by the governor, one by Montgomery County commissioners, and one by Prince George's County commissioners. The Commission's original jurisdiction consisted of a 95 square mile belt located immediately outside the Washington, D.C. line. Its funding came from state revenues which were supplemented by County bonds. The State Health Department lent it its first engineering staff.

The original WSSC commissioners personally surveyed and inspected every water and sewerage system within their jurisdiction during 1916 and 1917, and found only 53 miles of water mains and 60 miles of sewers serving approximately 25 percent of the suburban population. Of the 17 public water systems, only seven met minimum health standards, and none were adequate for fire protection. In 1918, according to Hiebert and MacMaster, "the Maryland General Assembly constituted the three-member Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission as a public service corporation with authority to construct and operate a water and sewerage system for the suburban district. Soon after passage of this legislation in 1918, WSSC purchased all of the existing water and sewerage systems within its district, with the single exception of the Glen Echo system...WSSC began enlarging the capacity of existing systems, drawing water from upcounty streams and reservoirs, and constructing improved filtration plants to treat sewage before it was dumped into other streams. Construction of the first new lines and plants began in September 1919." [Ray Eldon Hiebert and Richard K. MacMaster, A Grateful Remembrance: The Story of Montgomery County, Maryland, published by Montgomery County Government and the Montgomery County Historical Society in Rockville, MD in 1976, p. 257]

In 1922, the WSSC was also granted planning authority for a permanent system of highways and streets when its engineers discovered that many of the existing streets were too poorly planned to support water or sewer lines. The WSSC was also given at this time the authority to approve all plats for subdivisions before they were recorded.

Thus the WSSC began to wield tremendous influence in the growth of the County, since the extension of streets and water and sewer lines determined the patterns and rate of development. Demands by Montgomery County citizens for some local control over this unplanned and unregulated growth began to be raised as early as the 1920s. In 1927 the General Assembly transferred planning authority from the WSSC to the newly-created Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission. Since that time, efforts to split the WSSC into separate water and sewer departments for each county have been attempted, but without success.

In 1955, the General Assembly mandated a reorganization of the Commission. The number of commissioners was raised to six, two of whom were appointed by Montgomery County Council, two by Prince George's County commissioners, and two by the governor, who selected one from each county. By the 1960s, bowing to insistent demands for more local control, the General Assembly granted the power to appoint all six commissioners to the Montgomery County Council and the Prince George's County commissioners, who each select three.

The area and population under the WSSC's jurisdiction has expanded steadily, as has its staff and budget. It continues to provide water, sewerage, and stormwater drainage services to the ever-growing suburban Maryland district. The Commission produces ten year water supply and sewerage disposal plans, and operates under five year water and sewer programs, subject to comment and approval by the governing bodies of the two counties. It is composed of four departments: Engineering, Financial, Legal, and Secretary or Administrative.

PROCESSING PROCEDURES

General processing procedures consisted of discarding duplicates, unnecessary binders, and routine transmittals. Oversized documents and photographs were removed from the original location in their assigned series and placed in separate containers. Separation sheets were inserted in the original location within the folder to indicate the new location of any records placed elsewhere.

Preservation copying of newspaper clippings was performed whenever feasible. Records in folders were arranged, unless otherwise indicated, in forward chronological order, with undated records appearing at the end of the folder.

PROVENANCE

Most of these materials were transferred from the Rockville Regional Library.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

These records primarily consist of 4.5 cubic feet of reports, studies, and informational brochures and handbooks produced by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission. One folder containing material relating to lawsuits filed in opposition to a proposed advanced wastewater treatment facility at Rock Run is also included. Other material includes minutes, agenda, regulations, policies, and appointments.

The records are arranged into five series:

Series I: Legal

Series II: Printed Material

Series III: Site 2 Working Group

Series IV: Appointments

Series V: Rules, Regulations and Policies.

SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

Series I: Legal, 1981 (1 folder)

This file contains transcripts of hearings as well as an opinion delivered by the Maryland State Attorney relating to the proposed Rock Run Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Series II: Printed Material, 1918-1984 (4.5 cu.ft.)

The materials in this series include annual reports and other items describing the Commission's history, organization and activities; several five year water and sewer programs; plans and studies for advanced wastewater treatment facilities (AWT) including those proposed for Dickerson and Rock Run; and service application procedures. Other topics include water storage and sludge composting. Of special significance is a copy of the 1918 report submitted by the WSSC to the Maryland General Assembly after its initial survey of water and sewage systems within its jurisdiction.

Series III: Site 2 Working Group, 1993-1994 (1 folder)

This series consists of minutes and an agenda for meetings held by the working group which provided oversight for the Montgomery County Regional Composting Facility located in the eastern part of the County.

Series IV: Appointments, 1985-1987 (1 folder)

This series consists of County Council resolutions confirming the County Executive's nominations to the WSSC.

Series V: Rules, Regulations and Policies, 1992-1994 (2 folders)

This series contains 1992 and 1993 modifications to the plumbing and gasfitting regulations of the WSSC and policies for water and sewerage service in effect in 1994.

The folders are arranged in alphabetical order.

Series I: Legal

Box 1

Rock Run AWT Plant Court Hearings, 1981

Series II: Printed Material

Box 1

Report on the Advisability of Creating a Sanitary District in Maryland, Contiguous to the Distric of Columbia and Providing It with Water and Sewerage Service, 1918

Montgomery County, MD: Study of Economy, Governmental Organization and Finances, 1949

Washington Suburban Sanitary District, Maryland, 1949

Budget of WSSC, 1954

Your Sanitary Commission, 1954

Reinforcement and Expansion Program for the Commission's Water Distribution System, 1955- 1960

Your Sanitary Commission, 1956

Bond Information, 1959

Official Statement, $10,000,000 Washington Suburban Society Distinct, 1960

Upper Montgomery County Sewerage Study, 1960

Water Program, 1960-1965, Adopted, 1960

Annual Report, 1961

Sewerage Program, 1961-1966, [1961]

Annual Report, 1962

Reinforcement and Expansion Program for the Commission's water Distribution, 1962

Sewerage Program, 1962-1967, 1962

Annual Report, 1963

Report on Refuse Collection by the Montgomery County Refuse Authority, 1963

Your Service, 1963-1966

Water Program, 1963-1968

Annual Report, 1964

Stream Enclosure Report, Montgomery County, 1964

Water Program, 1964

Annual Report, 1965

Water Program (Preliminary) Fiscal 1965-1969, 1965

Water Program, FY's 1966-1970, Adopted 1965, 1965

Report #2 of the Middle Income Housing Commission, 1968

Annual Report, 1965-1966

Annual Report, 1966-1967

Sewerage Program, 1966-1970

Damascus Sewage Report, 1967

Annual Report, 1967-1968

Budget, 1969-1970, 1969

Sewerage Program, 1967-1971

Water Program, 1967-1971

Sewage Program, 1968

Annual Report, 1968-1969

Water Program, 1968-1970

Box 2

Proposed Budget, 1970-1971, 1970

Sewerage Program, 1968-1972

Water Program, 1968-1972

Annual Report, 1969-1970

Sewerage Program, 1969-1973

Water Program, 1969-1973

Approved Budget, 1971-1972, 1971

Sewerage Study, 1971

Annual Report, 1971-1972

Approved Budget, 1972-1973, 1972

Preliminary Site Selection, AWT Facility, Montgomery County, MD, 1972

Proposed Budget, 1972-1973, 1973

Box 3

Report on WSSC Sewage Flows, Commitments and Capacities, 1972-1973

Approved Budget Detail, 1973-1974, 1973

Approved Budget, Summary, 1973-4, Volume 1, 1973

Management Review of FY 1974 Proposed Operating Budget, Final Report, 1973

Montgomery County Regional AWT Plant Project Development Report Volume I: Narrative Description, 1973

Montgomery County Regional AWT Plant Project Development Report Volume III: Outline Specifications, 1973

Montgomery County Regional AWT Plant Project Development Report Volume IV: Subsurface Investigations, 1973 (1 of 2 folders)

Proposed Budget Detail, 1973-1974 Volume 2, 1973

Proposed Budget, Summary 1973-1974, Volume 1, 1973

Box 4

Montgomery County Regional AWT Plant Project Development Report Volume IV: Subsurface Investigations, 1973 (2 of 2 folders)

Site Preparation, Central Sanitary Landfill, Part II, 1973

Approval of the Sic Year CIP for FY's 1975-1980, 1974

Approval Budget, 1974-1975, 1974

Colesville Water Storage Facility, 1974

Detailed Environmental Report Concerning Advanced Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility and Delivery System, Montgomery County, MD, 1974

Justification of Approved Budget 1974-1975, 1974

Box 5

Montgomery County Regional AWT Plant Project Development Report, Dickerson Site, Volume I: Narrative Description 1974

Montgomery County Regional AWT Plant Project Development Report, Dickerson Site, Volume III: Outline Specifications, 1974

Montgomery County Regional AWT Plant Project Development Report, Dickerson Site, Volume IV: Subsurface Investigations, 1974

Montgomery County Regional AWT Plant, Volume I: Wastewater Delivery System Study, 1974

Box 6

Proposed Budget 1974-1975, 1974

Report on Evaluation of Additional Delivery System Alternatives, Montgomery County, Maryland, 1974

Report on Patuxent River, 1974

Report on Potomac River, 1974

Review of WSSC Water Transmission System Expansion Program, 1974

Water Storage Guide, 1974

Addendum to Detailed Environmental Report Concerning AWT Facility and Delivery System, Montgomery County, Maryland, 1975

Boyds Pilot Study Water and Sewerage Systems, 1975

Box 7

Approved Budget, 1975-1976, 1975

Feasibility and Planning of an Operations Center Facility, 1975

Justification of Approved Budget 1975-1976, 1975

Montgomery County Interim Sewerage Program, Consortia Treatment Plant Proposals, 1975

Preliminary Report Pumped Storage Project, 1975

Proposed Budget, 1975-1976, 1975

Box 8

Pumped Storage Project, 1975

Report on Project W-80 Tunnel Feasibility, 1975

Administrator's Decision on the Proposed Dickerson Wastewater Treatment Plant Grant Application, 1976

Approved Budget 1976-1977, 1976

Construction Alternatives Analysis, Montgomery County Regional AWT Plant, 1976

Justification of Proposed Budget, 1976-1977

Box 9

Maryland Response to the Tentative U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Report on the Dickerson AWT Plant, 1976

Maryland Response to the Tentative U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Report on the Dickerson AWT Plant, Summary, 1976

Feasibility of Land Treatment of Wastewater in Montgomery County, MD, 1977

Report on Recommendations for Policy Decisions Regarding Land Treatment Facilities for Montgomery County, MD, 1977

Site Evaluations and Preliminary Design for a Sludge Composting Facility, Volume I: Executive Summary, 1977

Box 10

Site Evaluations and Preliminary Design for a Sludge Composting Facility, Volume II: Site Evaluation and Preliminary Design Report, 1977

Site Evaluations and Preliminary Design for a Sludge Composting Facility, Volumes III-V: Environmental Assessment, Traffic Analysis, Air Pollution Control Analysis, 1977

Official Statement, 1978

Proposed Capital Improvements Program 1981-1986, 1979

Alternative Points of Discharge for Rock Run Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant Final Draft Report, Volume I: Executive Summary, 1980

Alternative Points of Discharge for Rock Run Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant Draft Report Volume II: Technical Report, Table of Contents and Introduction, 1980

Alternative Points of Discharge for Rock Run Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant Draft Report Volume II: Technical Report, Water Quality, 1980

Alternative Points of Discharge for Rock Run Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant Draft Report Volume II: Technical Report, Water Supply, 1980

Alternative Points of Discharge for Rock Run Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant Draft Report Volume II: Technical Report, Water Systems, 1980

Box 11

Alternative Points of Discharge for Rock Run Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant Draft Report Volume II: Technical Report, Influent Systems, 1980

Alternative Points of Discharge for Rock Run Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant Draft Report Volume II: Technical Report, Environmental Analyses, 1980

Alternative Points of Discharge for Rock Run Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant Draft Report Volume II: Technical Report, Economic Assessment, 1980

Alternative Points of Discharge for Rock Run Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant Draft Report Volume III: Technical Appendices, Effluent Systems, 1980

Alternative Points of Discharge for Rock Run Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant Draft Report Volume III: Technical Appendices, Environmental Analyses, 1980

Alternative Points of Discharge for Rock Run Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant Draft Report Volume III: Technical Appendices, Influent Systems, 1980

Alternative Points of Discharge for Rock Run Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant Draft Report Volume III: Technical Appendices, Water Quality, 1980

Alternative Points of Discharge for Rock Run Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant Draft Report Volume III: Technical Appendices, Water Supply, 1980

Interagency Task Force Report on the Study of Alternative Points of Discharge, 1980

Guide to Water and Sewer Service, 1981

Plan of Study: Rock Creek Transmission Relief Facility Plan, 1981

Box 12

Rock Run AWT Facility Draft Project Development Report Volume I: AWT Plant Technical Report, 1981 (3 folders)

Rock Run AWT Facility Draft Project Development Report Volume I: AWT Plant Appendices, 1981 (3 folders)

Rock Run AWT Facility Draft Project Development Report Volume II: Conveyance System, 1981 (folder 1)

Box 13

Rock Run AWT Facility Draft Project Development Report Volume II: Conveyance System, 1981 (3 folders)

Rock Run AWT Facility Draft Project Development Report Executive Summary, AWT Plant Conveyance System Environment, 1981

Rock Run AWT Facility Draft Project Development Report Volume III: Environment, 1981 (folder 1)

Box 14

Rock Run AWT Facility Draft Project Development Report Volume III: Environment, 1981 (3 folders)

Rock Run AWT Facility Draft Project Development Report Executive Summary, Environment, 1981

Rock Run: Introduction to Wastewater Treatment: Physical, Chemical and Biological Processes, 1981

Rock Run Reporter, 1981

Rock Run AWT Facility: Mobile Workshop and Facility Tours, 1981

Water Distribution System, Montgomery County, 1981

Sewer and Stormwater Service, 1981

Rock Creek Transmission Relief Facility Plan: Draft Plan, 1982

Box 15

Rock Creek Transmission Relief Facility Plan: Interim Report, ca. 1982

Rock Creek Transmission Relief Facility Plan: Needs Assessment, 1982

Sligo Creek Facility Plan, 1984

Oversize Publications, n.d.

Series III: Site 2 Working Group

Minutes and agenda, 1993-1994

Series IV: Appointments

1985-1987

Series V: Rules, Regulations and Policies

Plumbing Regulations, 1992-1993

Policies for Water and Sewerage Service, 1994