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
Grant stemming from Maryland Clean Water Commerce Act among funding approved
BALTIMORE, MD (August 14, 2019) – The Maryland Board of Public Works approved more than $4 million in grants today to reduce pollution and save energy. The board is composed of Governor Larry Hogan, Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot.
The board approved funding stemming from the Maryland Clean Water Commerce Act, a grant of more than $1.8 million for equipment that will allow Howard County’s Little Patuxent Water Reclamation Plant to further reduce nutrients beyond Enhanced Nutrient Removal levels.
“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. “The Little Patuxent Water Reclamation Plant project is a smart way to protect the Bay. Innovative partnerships like this, made possible by Governor Hogan’s Clean Water Commerce Act, help sustain the progress we’ve made and achieve the bold goals we’ve set for a healthier Chesapeake watershed.”
The following projects were approved today:
Little Patuxent Water Reclamation Plant Advanced Process Instrumentation and Control System project – Howard County
A $1,818,450 Bay Restoration Fund grant to Howard County will provide funding stemming from the Clean Water Commerce Act to reduce pollution to a tributary to the Chesapeake Bay. The Clean Water Commerce Act expanded the uses of the Bay Restoration Fund to include the costs associated with the purchase of cost-effective nitrogen, phosphorus or sediment load reductions. The project approved today involves the development and implementation of advanced online instrumentation and expanded treatment to provide additional nitrogen and phosphorus reductions beyond original Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) goals. The Maryland Department of the Environment will provide annual payments for the purchase of verified annual reductions of nitrogen and phosphorus beyond ENR based on agreed-upon unit prices. Annual purchases are estimated to be between $146,000 and $746,520 depending on the actual verified reductions. This project is part of the department’s efforts to achieve additional nutrient reductions to offset the projected increase in nutrient and sediment in waters from runoff due to climate change.
Frostburg Combined Sewer Overflow Elimination Phase IX-A – Allegany County
A $1,779,049 Bay Restoration Fund grant to the City of Frostburg will help fund the next phase in a project to separate combined sewers within the City of Frostburg and reduce the frequency and volume of combined sewer overflows during wet weather events. This project will replace aging sewer lines and eliminate several flow obstructions and numerous infiltration and inflow issues to significantly reduce wet weather wastewater flows to downstream wastewater treatment facilities. The project will reduce combined sewer overflow discharges in compliance with MDE’s consent decree with the City of Frostburg. This project is consistent with Maryland’s climate change adaptation and resiliency objectives through the reduction of overflows that are exacerbated by increased precipitation or flooding events.
Thurmont Wastewater Treatment Plant Reactor Aeration Optimization project – Frederick County
A $460,346 Energy Water Infrastructure Program grant to the Town of Thurmont will help fund modifications to equipment at the Thurmont Wastewater Treatment Plant for energy reduction and savings. This project is consistent with the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act’s statewide goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030.
Maryland Correctional Institution Wastewater Treatment Plant Enhanced Nutrient Removal Upgrade — Washington County
A $259,848 Bay Restoration Fund grant to Maryland Environmental Service will help fund the planning, design and construction of Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) upgrades at the Maryland Correctional Institution Wastewater Treatment Plant. After the upgrade, the facility will reduce its nitrogen discharge by 62.5 percent and its phosphorus discharge by 86 percent, significantly reducing the amount of nutrients discharged to Antietam Creek 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 Chesapeake Bay restoration 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.
Denton Wastewater Treatment Plant Anoxic Reactor Mixer Replacement – Caroline County
A $68,875 Energy Water Infrastructure Program grant to the Town of Denton will help fund modifications to equipment at the Denton Wastewater Treatment Plant for energy reduction and 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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