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 wastewater infrastructure

Baltimore, MD (July 6, 2016) – The Maryland Board of Public Works approved more than $5.4 million in grants today to help eliminate sewer overflows in one community and to operate and maintain sewage treatment plants across the state that have been upgraded to remove additional pollution. 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. The Maryland Department of the Environment thanks Governor Hogan for his leadership on this environmental priority,” said Maryland Secretary of the Environment Ben Grumbles. “Sustaining our wastewater treatment plants throughout the state and improving the sewage collection system in LaVale 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:

New operation and maintenance grants for upgraded sewage treatment plants – Statewide

Grants from the Bay Restoration Fund totaling $4,777,400 will provide funding for operation and maintenance costs for 38 wastewater treatment plants operating at enhanced nutrient removal levels in 18 counties. The Bay Restoration Fund provides for up to 10 percent of the annual revenue generated from wastewater treatment plant users and deposited with the Maryland Department of the Environment to be allocated for such costs. The grant for each plant is up to $30,000 per million gallons per day of design capacity, with a minimum award of $30,000 and a maximum award of $300,000 per year for any plant.

Enhanced Nutrient Removal upgrades allow facilities to significantly reduce the amount of nutrients discharged to local waterways 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. The plants receiving these grants have reduced nitrogen discharges by more than 4.2 million pounds per year and phosphorus discharges by more than 471,000 pounds per year. Enhanced Nutrient Removal upgrades of the state’s major wastewater treatment plants are a critical component of Maryland’s Phase II Watershed Implementation Plan.

LaVale Mechanic Street Relief Sewer Improvements project – Allegany County

A $650,000 Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Project Funds supplemental assistance program grant to the LaVale Sanitary Commission will help fund the replacement of an above-ground, severely deteriorated pipe known as the Mechanic Street Interceptor Sewer. Replacement of the pipe will help eliminate the risk of failure of the interceptor, which could result in the loss of service to about 20,000 residents and the spillage of raw sewage into Wills Creek and onto the adjacent Allegany County Scenic Railroad tracks. The project is part of a multi-phased project to rehabilitate the LaVale Sewage collection system.

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