DHCD investment helps protect Chesapeake Bay

Hogan Administration officials are among the participants of a ground breaking in Greensboro for a new wastewater treatment plant.

The Hogan Administration was well represented today at the groundbreaking for a Caroline County project that will help enhance the quality of life for nearly 1,900 Marylanders.

Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Ken Holt, Maryland Department of the Environment Deputy Secretary Lynn Buhl, and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio attended the event marking the start of construction of the Greensboro Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The plant — which was the result of critical partnerships among the towns of Greensboro and Goldsboro and federal, state, county, and municipal departments —
will improve water quality and prevent public health hazards, Secretary Holt said.

“This project is an example of one of our Department’s primary goals: increased support for municipal infrastructure to help you create a thriving community that attracts homeowners and businesses,” Secretary Holt said.

DHCD grants, totaling $2.2 million, will support the $9.6 million project.

The plant will handle 332,000 gallons a day and include a pump station, filters to remove nitrogen and ultraviolet disinfection.

Compared to the existing plant, the new plant will reduce nitrogen flowing into the Choptank River, Chesapeake Bay by 93 percent and phosphorus by 90 percent. According to the MDE, that means about 15,000 pounds of nitrogen and about 270 pounds of phosphorus will be diverted from entering the waterway.

Part of the DHCD grants came from the Local Government Infrastructure Finance program, a flexible source of funding that can pay for street lights, sidewalks, police stations, firehouses and other government facilities.

Because of pressing needs, LGIF will be increased from $22 million to $50 million before the end of Governor Larry Hogan’s first term.

As he addressed the crowd, Secretary Kenneth Holt described the partnership that brought the federal government, Maryland state departments, Caroline County government and the towns of Greensboro and Goldsboro together to build this plant.