Board of Public Works approves funding for clean water and the Chesapeake Bay

Board of Public Works approves funding for clean water and the Chesapeake Bay

Grants and loans will reduce pollution, improve drinking water infrastructure

BALTIMORE (Aug. 22, 2018) – The Maryland Board of Public Works approved more than $1.8 million in grants and loans today to reduce pollution and improve a drinking water system in Western Maryland. The board is composed of Governor Larry Hogan, Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot.

“These are smart investments to protect public health and prevent water pollution in Maryland communities and the Chesapeake Bay,” said Maryland Environment Secretary Ben Grumbles. “Improving the Perryville Wastewater Treatment plant and the town of Oakland’s drinking water system will help us to green and grow the state’s economy and lead in the race to protect and restore Chesapeake Bay watersheds.”

The following projects were approved today:

Oakland Water Distribution System Improvements project – Garrett County

$1,018,514 in grants and loans from the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund to the town of Oakland will fund the Oakland Water Distribution System Improvements project. The project involves the replacement of the aging and deteriorated water distribution system in several areas in the town. The project’s purpose is to improve water quality, prevent water loss in the system and reduce operation and maintenance costs. The funding consists of a $509,257 grant in the form of loan forgiveness and a loan in the same amount.

Oakland Water Plant Improvements project – Garrett County

$854,770 in grants and loans to the town of Oakland will fund the Oakland Water Plant Improvements project. The project involves the improvement of the Bradley Run and Broadford Lake water treatment plants to improve the quality of drinking water, reduce water loss in the system and improve operations at both plants. The funding consists of a $427,385 Water Supply Financial Assistance grant and a Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund loan in the same amount.

Perryville Wastewater Treatment Plant Enhanced Nutrient Removal Refinements project – Cecil County

A $20,000 Bay Restoration Fund grant to the Town of Perryville will fund the planning and design for construction of improvements to the Perryville Wastewater Treatment Plant. The project will improve plant efficiency to allow it to consistently reduce its nitrogen discharge by 83.3 percent and its phosphorus discharge by 85 percent, significantly reducing the amount of nutrients discharged to Mill Creek 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. ENR upgrades of wastewater treatment plants are a critical component of Maryland’s Phase II Watershed Implementation Plan.

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