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
Grants and loans will reduce pollution, energy consumption and climate risk
BALTIMORE, MD (July 24, 2019) – The Maryland Board of Public Works approved more than $6 million in grants and loans today to reduce pollution and save energy. The board is composed of Governor Larry Hogan, Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot. Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford chaired today’s meeting.
“These are smart investments to protect public health and the environment while saving money and energy in Maryland communities,” said Maryland Environment Secretary Ben Grumbles. “Upgrading the Town of Oxford Wastewater Treatment Plant, repairing the Greenbelt Lake Dam and improving energy efficiency at the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission’s Parkway Water Resource Recovery Facility will help us to green and grow the state’s economy and lead in the race to restore Chesapeake Bay watersheds and reduce climate risk.”
The following projects were approved today:
Town of Oxford Wastewater Treatment Plant Biological Nutrient Removal and Enhanced Nutrient Removal Upgrade — Talbot County
A $4,332,241 Bay Restoration Fund grant to the Town of Oxford will help fund the planning, design and construction of Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) and Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) facilities at the Oxford Wastewater Treatment Plant. After the upgrade, the facility will reduce its nitrogen discharge by 83 percent and its phosphorus discharge by 90 percent, significantly reducing the amount of nutrients discharged to the Lower 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. Enhanced Nutrient Removal upgrades of wastewater treatment plants are a critical component of Maryland’s Phase II Watershed Implementation 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.
Greenbelt Lake Dam Repair – Prince George’s County
A $1,775,890 Water Quality State Revolving Loan Fund loan to the City of Greenbelt will help fund the design and construction of emergency repairs at the Greenbelt Lake Dam. The project will repair structural cracks to prevent seepage and continued dam deterioration and protect downstream water quality. 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.
Parkway Water Resource Recovery Facility Mixer Replacement project – Prince George’s County
A $400,000 Energy Water Infrastructure Program grant to the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission will fund the purchase and replacement of submersible wastewater mixers at the WSSC Parkway Water Resource Recovery Facility. These mixers are used in the wastewater treatment process and are needed to achieve Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) levels of treatment. The existing mixers are about 20-years old and are experiencing more frequent failures that require costly repairs or rebuilds. WSSC will use the grant to purchase more efficient submersible mixers for a significant reduction in energy use and energy cost savings. This project is consistent with the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act’s statewide goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030.
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