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Maryland Department of the Environment

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

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Jay Apperson

(410) 537-3003
jay.apperson@maryland.gov

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

Grants and loans will reduce pollution, improve water quality, improve wastewater and drinking water infrastructure


Baltimore, MD (April 15, 2015) – 
The Maryland Board of Public Works approved more than $160 million in funding today to upgrade three wastewater treatment plants and improve sewage and drinking water infrastructure. The Board is composed of Governor Larry Hogan, Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot.

“These are smart investments and great news for Maryland communities and citizens of the Chesapeake Bay region. The Maryland Department of the Environment thanks Governor Hogan for his leadership on this environmental priority,” said MDE Secretary Ben Grumbles. “Enhanced clean water infrastructure at the Blue Plains, Back River and Gas House Pike wastewater treatment plants will help us to green and grow the state’s economy and lead in the race to reduce nutrient pollution to protect and restore Chesapeake Bay watersheds.”

 

The following projects were approved today:

 

Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant Enhanced Nutrient Removal Upgrade, sewershed and pumping station improvements – Baltimore County

A $70,000,000 Water Quality State Revolving Loan Fund loan to Baltimore County will help fund the planning, design and construction of Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) and Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) upgrades at the 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 phosphorus discharge levels that are better than the Enhanced Nutrient Removal goal. 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. The loan funding is for Baltimore County’s share of the project cost.

Additional Water Quality State Revolving Loan Fund loans totaling $15,082,000 to Baltimore County will help fund the planning, design and construction of improvements to correct deficiencies in the Gwynns Falls (Southern), Low Level (Eastern) and Outfall sewersheds. The projects entail planning, design and construction of improvements to correct deficiencies in the sewersheds, including replacement and rehabilitation of sewers, improvements or upgrades to existing pump stations to reduce infiltration and inflow, repairs to lines and manholes, disconnection of illegal connections and new sewers for additional capacity. A sewershed is the area that drains into a sewer system. This is a continuation of Baltimore City’s efforts to prevent sanitary sewer overflows as required by the 2002 Consent Decree initiated by MDE and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A portion of the pipe capacity for each of these sewersheds is allocated to Baltimore County. The loan funding is for Baltimore County’s share of the project cost.

A $1,229,000 Water Quality State Revolving Loan Fund loan will help fund improvements to the Templegate wastewater pumping station in the Pikesville area of Baltimore County. The project is part of Baltimore County’s efforts to meet requirements for the rehabilitation of the County sewer system under the 2005 Consent Decree with MDE and the U.S. EPA.

 

Blue Plains Wastewater Treatment Plant Enhanced Nutrient Removal Upgrade – Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission 

Funding of $35,447,782 – a $32,036,769 Bay Restoration Fund grant and a $3,411,013 Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Projects grant – to the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission will help fund the planning, design and construction of Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) and Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) upgrades at the 370 million gallons per day Blue Plains Wastewater Treatment Plant in Washington, D.C. After the upgrades, the facility will reduce its nitrogen discharge by 83 percent, significantly reducing the amount of nutrients discharged to the Potomac River and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay. The plant is currently achieving phosphorus discharge levels that are better than the Enhanced Nutrient Removal goal. 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.

 

Gas House Pike Wastewater Treatment Plant Enhanced Nutrient Removal Upgrade – City of Frederick 

Funding of $44,617,934 – a $28,142,000 Water Quality State Revolving Loan Fund loan, a $14,602,521 Bay Restoration Fund grant and a $1,873,413 Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Projects grant – to the City of Frederick will help fund the planning, design and construction of Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) refinements and an Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) upgrade at the 8 million gallons per day Gas House Pike 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 Monocacy 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.

 

Oakland Water System Pressure Correction Project Design Phase – Town of Oakland

Funding of $160,000 – a $20,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund loan and a $140,000 grant in the form of loan forgiveness from the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund – to the Town of Oakland will help fund a feasibility study and design for improvements to the water distribution system in Oakland, Garrett County. The improvements include the planning, design and construction of water booster pumps and water line replacement or rehabilitation to improve the quantity and quality of water to provide safe and adequate drinking water for the town’s residents.

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