Prince George's County Resumes Limited Wet-Season PERC Testing After Drought Suspension

Prince George's County is again accepting applications for limited wet-season percolation testing after drought-driven groundwater levels forced a suspension, but the Health Department warned that not every property will make the cut.

The March 18 announcement affects anyone planning to build in the county who needs an on-site sewage disposal, or septic, system, as well as those seeking to subdivide property not served by public sewer. Both situations require a passing PERC test before county approval can proceed. PERC, short for percolation, measures how well soil absorbs water, a critical variable in determining whether a site can safely support a septic system.

Testing had been postponed after drought conditions drove groundwater levels too low for reliable results. Even with the resumption, the Health Department made clear that ongoing drought is still a factor: the buffer used to evaluate testing eligibility may be adjusted because of those conditions, which could exclude certain properties from qualifying at all. Eligibility turns on three criteria: buffer requirements, soil profiles, and property characteristics.

Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis through Momentum, the county's application portal. No test will be scheduled until an application has been submitted and approved, so anyone waiting on a project timeline should apply promptly. The Health Department did not specify how many test slots are available under this limited reopening, nor did it provide a projected timeline for scheduling after approval.

Applicants or property owners with questions can contact the county's Environmental Engineering Program at EnvironEngProgram@co.pg.md.us or by phone at 301-883-7681, available on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Given that buffer adjustments tied to drought conditions remain a live variable, reaching out before applying could clarify whether a specific parcel is likely to qualify.