What is a water and sewer category?

Water and sewer categories represent different planning levels for the provision of public water and sewer service. Prince George's County has used water and sewer categories, also known as "service areas" and "system areas", since the adoption of its first Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan in 1977. The establishment of different water and sewer categories allows public water and sewer service to be staged according to development proposals, and assures high quality development by the landowner consistent with County policies. The Prince George’s County Department of Environmental Resource is responsible for updating this plan. The current 2008 Water and Sewer Plan was adopted on November 18, 2008.

The water and sewer categories determine if and when service is available to a property. The county uses four water and sewer categories:

• Category 3: Community System – This category comprises all developed land on public water and sewer, and undeveloped land with a valid preliminary plan approved for public water and sewer 
• Category 4: Community System Adequate for Development Planning – This category includes properties inside the Sewer Envelope eligible for public water and sewer for which the subdivision process is required. 
• Category 5: Future Community Service – This category consists of properties insl9ide the Sewer Envelope that are eligible for public water and sewer, but should not be developed until adequate public facilities, including water and sewer lines are available to serve the proposed development. 
• Category 6: Individual Systems – This category consists of all areas outside the Sewer Envelope (outside the limit of planned water and sewer service) and for select larger tracts of parkland and open space inside the Sewer Envelope.