Board of Public Works approves funding for clean water and the Chesapeake Bay
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Board of Public Works approves funding for clean water and the Chesapeake Bay
Grants will reduce pollution, improve water quality
Baltimore, MD (June 8, 2016) – The Maryland Board of Public Works approved more than $24 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 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 Maryland Secretary of the Environment Ben Grumbles. “Undoing the effects of drainage from abandoned mines and reducing nutrient pollution to our waterways 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:
Upgrade Septic Systems – Statewide
Grants from the Bay Restoration Fund totaling $14 million will provide funding for counties to upgrade on-site sewage disposal (septic) systems with Best Available Technology to significantly reduce the discharge of nitrogen, one of the most serious pollutants in the Chesapeake Bay. Counties will focus on upgrading septic systems located within the critical area. A typical septic system that does not remove nitrogen delivers about 23 pounds of nitrogen per year to the groundwater. An upgraded, nitrogen-removing septic system cuts a system’s nitrogen load at least in half. All 23 Maryland counties will benefit from the grants.
Mayo Water Reclamation Facility Biological Nutrient Removal and Enhanced Nutrient Removal through Annapolis Water Reclamation Facility project – Anne Arundel County
Funding of $10,001,986– a $6 million Bay Restoration Fund grant and a $4,001,986 Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Projects Biological Nutrient Removal grant to Anne Arundel County – will help fund the Mayo Water Reclamation Facility Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) and Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) through the Annapolis Water Reclamation Facility project. This project involves the construction of a wastewater pumping station and about 25,500 linear feet of force main and gravity sewer to convey 820,000 gallons per day of wastewater from the Mayo Water Reclamation Facility to the Annapolis Water Reclamation Facility for BNR/ENR treatment and discharge. Upon completion of this project, the Mayo facility will be decommissioned and the discharge point eliminated to avoid the long term effect on the Bay and shellfish harvesting waters. The project was determined to be the most cost-effective alternative to achieving ENR goals at the Mayo facility, as required by Maryland’s Watershed Implementation Plan. 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 the state’s major wastewater treatment plants are a critical component of Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay restoration plan.
Matthew Run Acid Mine Drainage Remediation project – Allegany County
A $78,600 Mining Remediation Program grant to E.L. Robinson Engineering will help fund the Matthew Run Acid Mine Drainage Remediation project. The grant will fund an investigation of site conditions as part of a multi-phase project to eliminate the effects of an abandoned coal mining site and restore the water quality and wildlife in Neff Run and Matthew Run.
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