Septic system proposal tweaked

The proposal to require homeowners near the waterfront to put in pollution-reducing septic systems was scaled back last night as county councilmen tried to quell concerns that state money for the project would run out.

The plan would mandate that homeowners with failing systems near the waterfront replace them with more expensive pollution-reducing systems. It relies on a stream of state grant money to defray residents' costs.

"Out of fear that someone may not be eligible for the money, I'm going to put in this amendment to make sure that no application from Anne Arundel County is denied," said Councilman...