MoCo health officer to update County Council on ‘forever chemicals’ in North Potomac waterway

Plus: Public hearing on suggested revisions to water, sewer comprehensive plan

June 29, 2026 6:00 p.m.

The Montgomery County Council on Tuesday morning will receive a semi-annual update from Chief Health Officer Dr. Kisha Davis about public health issues in the county such as the recent detection of “forever chemicals” in a North Potomac waterway.

The council also plans to hold a public hearing on suggested revisions to the county’s comprehensive Water Supply and Sewerage Systems Plan.

The council will meet at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in the Stella Werner Council Office Building in Rockville for its first regular business meeting since June 16. The council did not meet on June 23 due to the gubernatorial primary election.

Here’s what on tap this week:

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Public health update

At 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, the council will hear a semi-annual update on public health issues from Dr. Kisha Davis, the county’s chief health officer.

The briefing will include information about elevated levels of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that were recently detected in the near Great Seneca Highway and Key West Avenue in North Potomac, according to a Monday press release.

Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission officials have said that public drinking water remains safe. The county has issued a localized public health advisory encouraging owners of private wells in the affected area to test their drinking water and urging all residents to avoid the contaminated water.

Residents can hear from county officials about the PFAS advisory during a virtual community meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday. More information is also available at montgomerycountymd.gov/pfas.

Suggested water and sewerage plan revisions

At 1:30 p.m., the council will hold a public hearing on suggested revisions to the county’s comprehensive Water Supply and Sewerage Systems Plan.

According to a council staff report, the county received requests for four individual water and sewer service changes for properties in the county.

Of those, County Executive Marc Elrich (D) is recommending approval of one — the extension of public sewer service to a place of worship near Cloverly.

The Spencerville Seventh-day Adventist Church is demolishing its main church building following a “devastating fire” that caused $5 million in damage. The new church building will seat 1,200 people, up from 900 before the fire, according to the council staff report.

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The council’s Transportation and Environment committee is scheduled to review all four requests for water and sewer service changes during its July 13 meeting.

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Originally published at Bethesdamagazine