Howard County investigates Columbia storm drain complaint

COLUMBIA, Md. —

Neighbors in Columbia’s Stone Ridge neighborhood are raising concerns after witnessing a lawn-care company’s hose appearing to enter a storm drain, fearing potential harm to local waterways.

Residents say they have long been worried about lawn-care chemicals sprayed in their neighborhood, where children regularly play.

“Our bus stop is right there and it’s just packed with kids, always,” Emily Lall, a neighbor, told WBAL-TV 11 News.

On Wednesday, neighbors saw what appears to be a hose running from a herbicide truck into a storm drain and were horrified.

Paul Rader, another neighbor, said, “To actually see it, be an eyewitness to that practice and see it happen, I mean, I think there’s clearly a need for more training.”

Neighbors recorded the incident as the company serviced the area. While they couldn’t confirm whether anything flowed from the hose, they noted the drain leads to a nearby stream, which connects to the Middle Patuxent River and eventually the Bay.

“We spend so much time like down there, Middle Patuxent, in the river just playing. Like I said, we like to get the tadpoles or frogs. It’s like that’s where it’s going,” Lall added.

Maryland law generally prohibits unauthorized pollutant discharges into state waters.

Neighbors reported the incident, prompting Howard County officials to inspect the site the next day.

In a statement to WBAL-TV 11 News, the County said a Bureau of Environmental Services Stormwater Management Division (SWMD) inspector visited the site on Thursday and “did not see or smell any evidence of chemical discharge into the storm inlet or chemical discharge from the downstream outfall.”

“Additionally, the inspector spoke with the owner of the landscaping company, who explained that the hose slack ran into and out of the storm inlet, but did not discharge to the inlet,” Howard County stated. “Based on SWMD’s investigation, the division does not believe there was any discharge of chemicals into the storm drain.”

Despite these findings, neighbors remain skeptical.

“I think everyone can agree that dumping an herbicide labeled toxic to aquatic life down a storm drain that enters the bay is completely unacceptable,” Rader said.

Residents also reported seeing liquid spilled onto the street near the storm drain. The community is calling for more oversight and environmental protections.

“We are concerned as a community and, you know, as a state, we care about the Bay, and this is preached to Marylanders all the time, to ‘Save the Bay, Protect the Bay,'” Rader emphasized. “When these things happen, it’s offensive to I think all Marylanders.”

The Maryland Department of the Environment confirmed they received a complaint after the truck left and they are now investigating the incident.

Matt Cline, chief operating officer of Hillside Lawn Service, issued a statement addressing the concerns:

“We understand the concern raised by the community and want to be clear that no fertilizer, pesticide, or other lawn-care product was discharged into the storm drain shown in the video. The nozzle shown was not dispensing product at the time. The Maryland Department of Agriculture reviewed the requested application records, and Howard County’s Stormwater Management Division inspected the drain and found no signs of a discharge.”

For incidents similar to this, you can contact the Water and Science Administration compliance program at 410-537-3510.