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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

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

Grant will reduce pollution, improve water quality

Baltimore, MD (September 7, 2016) – The Maryland Board of Public Works approved a $200,000 grant today to reduce pollution and improve water quality by upgrading a sewage treatment plant in Dorchester County. The Board is composed of Governor Larry Hogan, Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot.

“The Twin Cities Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade is a smart investment 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. “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 project was approved today:

Twin Cities Wastewater Treatment Plant Biological Nutrient Removal and Enhanced Nutrient Removal Upgrades project – Dorchester County

A $200,000 Bay Restoration Fund grant to the Town of Secretary will help fund the design of the Twin Cities Wastewater Treatment Plant Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) and Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) Upgrades project. The project involves the planning, design and construction of BNR and ENR upgrades at the plant at an approved design capacity of 281,000 gallons per day. After the upgrades, the facility will reduce its nitrogen discharge by 83 percent and its phosphorus discharge by 85 percent, significantly reducing the amount of nutrients discharged to the Choptank 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. ENR upgrades of the state’s major wastewater treatment plants are a critical component of Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay restoration plan.

 

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