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Maryland Department of the Environment

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

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

 

BALTIMORE (Dec. 4, 2019) – The Maryland Board of Public Works approved more than $3.6 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. Lt. Governor Boyd K. Rutherford chaired today’s meeting.

“These are smart investments to protect public health and prevent water pollution in Maryland communities and the Chesapeake Bay,” said Maryland Environment Secretary Ben Grumbles. “Reducing nutrient pollution in Howard and Somerset counties 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:

 

Ashleigh Knolls Shared Sewage Disposal Facility project – Howard County

A $2,940,900 Bay Restoration Fund grant to Howard County will help fund the replacement of an outdated community septic system with a best available technology (BAT) facility to serve 109 homes in the Ashleigh Knolls community. The new facility will reduce nitrogen discharged by at least 50% to comply with its state groundwater discharge permit. The 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.

 

Fairmount Wastewater Treatment Plant Decommissioning and Sewage Transmission project – Somerset County

A $756,190 Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Supplemental Assistance grant to the Somerset County Sanitary District will help fund the decommissioning of the Fairmount Wastewater Treatment Plant and conveyance of the wastewater to the Princess Anne Wastewater Treatment Plant. This project, which includes construction of a new main to connect to the collection system in Westover, addresses the Fairmount plant’s deteriorated conditions and several discharge permit violations. The Princess Anne plant is a Biological Nutrient Removal facility with plans for an Enhanced Nutrient Removal upgrade.

 

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