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
BALTIMORE (September 2, 2020) – The Maryland Board of Public Works approved more than $10 million in grants today to reduce pollution and improve water quality. 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,” said Maryland Environment Secretary Ben Grumbles. “Upgrading sewer systems and reducing the harmful effects of stormwater runoff 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:
WSSC Sewer Basin Reconstruction Program —Prince George’s County
Bay Restoration Fund grants totaling $9,154,250 to the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission will help fund one part of a broader program to repair, replace and rehabilitate sewers and manholes on or near state, local and county road right-of-ways throughout Prince George’s and Montgomery counties. This grant is for improvements in the Northeast Sewer Basin, Section 1, and the Lower Anacostia Sewer Basin, Section 1, both in Prince George’s County. This project is consistent with Maryland’s climate change adaptation and resiliency objectives through the reduction of runoff that is exacerbated by increased precipitation or flooding events.
Carroll County Stormwater Management Restoration – Carroll County
An $833,739 Bay Restoration Fund grant to Carroll County will help fund projects to reduce the impact of stormwater runoff in urban areas of Carroll County as part of the county’s efforts to improve water quality in local streams and the Chesapeake Bay and to comply with its municipal stormwater permit. The work consists of the retrofit of existing stormwater management facilities, the creation of new stormwater management facilities and stream restoration.This board action is for the contract for Woodsyde Estates in Eldersburg, one of four contracts in the project. This project is consistent with Maryland’s climate change adaptation and resiliency objectives through the reduction of runoff that is exacerbated by increased precipitation or flooding events.
Region V (Tilghman Island) Wastewater Treatment Plant Enhanced Nutrient Removal Upgrade project – Talbot County
A $28,990 Bay Restoration Fund grant to Talbot County will fund the planning for an Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) upgrade of the Region V (Tilghman Island) Wastewater Treatment Plant. After the upgrade, the facility will reduce its nitrogen discharge by 83% and its phosphorus discharge by 90%, significantly reducing the amount of nutrients discharged to 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 wastewater treatment plants are a critical component of Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay restoration plan.This project will be constructed in accordance with coastal and non-coastal resiliency guidelines developed as part of the Coast Smart Program to reduce climate change risks to such projects.
# # #