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Maryland Department of the Environment

Board of Public Works Approves Funding For Clean Water and the Chesapeake Bay

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Samantha Kappalman
samantha.kappalman@maryland.gov

Jay Apperson
jay.apperson@maryland.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS APPROVES FUNDING FOR CLEAN WATER AND THE CHESAPEAKE BAY 

Grants and loans will reduce pollution, improve wastewater infrastructure   

 

 

BALTIMORE, MD (May 28, 2014) – The Maryland Board of Public Works approved more than $28 million in funding today for projects to upgrade a sewer system and two large wastewater treatment plants. The Board is composed of Governor Martin O’Malley, Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot.

“Projects such as these are an important part of our effort to improve Maryland waterways, including the Chesapeake Bay,” said Governor O’Malley. “These projects reduce pollution and protect the environment and public health while creating jobs for more Marylanders.”

The following funding was approved today:

Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant Enhanced Nutrient Removal Upgrade project – Baltimore City, Baltimore County

Chesapeake Bay Water Quality grants totaling $19,614,235, in addition to a previous $141,000,000 Bay Restoration Fund grant and a previous $43,576,554 Chesapeake Bay Water Quality grant, to Baltimore City will help fund the planning, design and construction of Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) and Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) facilities at the existing 180 million gallons per day Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant. After the upgrades, the facility will reduce its nitrogen discharge by 67 percent, significantly reducing the amount of nutrients discharged to Back River and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay. The plant is currently achieving discharges better than the ENR goal of 0.3 milligrams per liter for Total Phosphorus as required by of its discharge permit. Excessive amounts of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus lead to lowered levels of oxygen needed to support aquatic life in waterways, including the Chesapeake Bay. Enhanced Nutrient Removal upgrades of the state’s major wastewater treatment plants are a critical component of Maryland’s Phase II Watershed Implementation Plan.

 

Fruitland Wastewater Treatment Plant Enhanced Nutrient Removal Upgrade project – Wicomico County

Grant and loan funding of $7,474,000 – a $4,609,000 Bay Restoration Fund grant, a $1,500,000 grant in the form of loan forgiveness from the Water Quality State Revolving Loan Fund and a $1,365,000 Water Quality State Revolving Loan Fund loan – to the City of Fruitland will help fund the planning, design and construction of Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) facilities at the existing 0.8 million gallons per day Fruitland Wastewater Treatment Plant. After the upgrades, the facility will reduce its nitrogen discharge by 62.5 percent and its phosphorus discharge by 85 percent, significantly reducing the amount of nutrients discharged to the lower Wicomico River and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay. Excessive amounts of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus lead to lowered levels of oxygen needed to support aquatic life in waterways, including the Chesapeake Bay. Enhanced Nutrient Removal upgrades of the state’s major wastewater treatment plants are a critical component of Maryland’s Phase II Watershed Implementation Plan.

 

 

Braddock Run Sanitary Sewer Rehab Phase II  project – Allegany County  

Funding of $1,447,250 – a $1,258,250 Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Project Funds Supplemental Assistance Program grant and a $189,000 Water Quality State Revolving Loan Fund loan – to Allegany County will help fund the repair and replacement of manholes and pipes and other required modifications of the Braddock Run sewer system. The project will reduce inflow and infiltration of water to the lines, which  leads to sewer overflows.

 

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