Flush tax: In 2004, Maryland began charging homeowners and businesses
for producing wastewater. The funds will be used to help protect
Chesapeake Bay waters.

Maryland will add $2.50 a month to the sewer bills of residents hooked
up to treatment systems. It will also assess an annual charge of $30 to
homeowners with their own septic systems, even though many believe these
residents add little to the stream of pollutants that have damaged the
Chesapeake.