Board of Public Works Approves Funding for Clean Water and the Chesapeake Bay
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Jay Apperson
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Board of Public Works Approves Funding for Clean Water and the Chesapeake Bay
Grants and loans will reduce pollution, provide safe drinking water
BALTIMORE, MD (Oct. 2, 2014) – The Maryland Board of Public Works approved more than $10 million in funding yesterday for projects to upgrade wastewater treatment plants and drinking water systems. 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 and to provide safe and reliable drinking water,” 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:
Sudlersville Wastewater Treatment Plant Biological Nutrient Removal and Enhanced Nutrient Removal project – Queen Anne’s County
Grants totaling $3,738,145 — a $2,364,420 Bay Restoration Fund grant and $1,373,725 in Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Project grants — to the Town of Sudlersville will help fund the Sudlersville Wastewater Treatment Plant Biological Nutrient Removal and Enhanced Nutrient Removal project. The project entails the planning, design and construction of Biological Nutrient Removal and Enhanced Nutrient Removal upgrades of the Sudlersville Wastewater Treatment Plant and expansion from 75,000 gallons per day to 200,000 gallons per day. After the upgrades, the facility will reduce its nitrogen discharge by 83 percent and its phosphorus discharge by 90 percent, significantly reducing the amount of nutrients discharged to the Upper Chester 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.
East Prince Frederick Elevated Storage Tank Project – Calvert County
Grant and loan funding of $2,918,000 — a $350,000 Water Supply Financial Assistance Program grant and a $2,568,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund loan — to Calvert County will help fund the construction of a 750,000 gallon elevated water storage tank necessary to meet peak demand and fire flow requirements for the East Prince Frederick Town Center. The project will provide increased capacity within the Prince Frederick Water System and will aid in achieving compliance with the state-mandated arsenic requirements.
Rising Sun Biological Nutrient Removal and Enhanced Nutrient Removal Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade Project – Cecil County
Grants totaling $2,798,620 — a $1,099,268 Bay Restoration Fund grant and a $1,699,353 Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Project grant — to the Town of Rising Sun will help fund the Rising Sun Biological Nutrient Removal and Enhanced Nutrient Removal Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade project. The project entails the planning, design and construction of Biological Nutrient Removal and Enhanced Nutrient Removal upgrades of the Rising Sun Wastewater Treatment Plant and expansion from 257,000 gallons per day to 500,00 gallons per day. After the upgrades, the facility will reduce its nitrogen discharge by 83 percent and its phosphorus discharge by 90 percent, significantly reducing the amount of nutrients discharged to Stone Run 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.
Sharptown Water Treatment Facility Upgrade Project – Wicomico County
Grant and loan funding of $647,332 — a $478,332 Water Supply Financial Assistance grant and a $169,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund loan — to the Town of Sharptown will help fund the Sharptown Water Treatment Facility Upgrade. The project entails the planning, design and construction of a water treatment upgrade along with new backup well construction at the existing Sharptown Water Treatment Facility. This project is necessary to meet federal and State drinking water standards. The Town of Sharptown is under a consent order from MDE to take corrective measures to consistently lower Total Trihalomethane levels.
Williamsport Water Tank and Solenoid Control Valve Project – Washington County
A $160,000 Water Supply Financial Assistance grant to the Town of Williamsport will help fund the Williamsport Water Tank and Solenoid Control Valve project. The proposed project entails upgrades to the Town of Williamsport’s elevated storage tank, which has been taken out of service. The upgrades include a new solenoid control valve and related work and painting required to get the tank back into service.
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