BALTIMORE, MD (February 6, 2013) - The Maryland Board of Public Works approved nearly $50 million in funding today to: reduce pollution and improve water quality by upgrading septic systems and rerouting a wastewater line; reduce greenhouse gas emissions with a power project at a sewage treatment plant; and improve infrastructure by upgrading an aging drinking water plant and extending a water supply line. The Board is composed of Governor Martin O’Malley, Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot. Lieutenant Governor Anthony G. Brown represented Governor O’Malley at today’s meeting.
"Projects such as these are an important part of our effort to improve Maryland waterways, including the Chesapeake Bay," said Lieutenant Governor Brown. "These projects reduce pollution and protect the environment and public health while creating jobs for more Marylanders."
The following projects were approved today:
Annapolis Water Treatment Plant Upgrade – City of Annapolis, Anne Arundel County
Grant and loan funding of $30 million (a $28,500,000 loan and a $1,500,000 grant in the form of loan forgiveness) from the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund Program to the City of Annapolis will help fund the design and construction of the Annapolis Drinking Water Treatment Plant upgrade. The project is an extensive renovation of the plant, which is about 80 years old and is becoming increasingly difficult and expensive to operate. The City anticipates replacement of most major processes at the plant.
Blue Plains Wastewater Treatment Plant New Digestion Facilities Combined Heat and Power project – Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission
A $15 million Water Quality State Revolving Loan Fund green loan to the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission will help fund the design and construction of the Combined Heat and Power System with the New Digestion Facilities at the existing 370 million gallons per day Blue Plains Wastewater Treatment Plant. The project will allow the facility to burn treated sewage sludge and use the methane gas produced to generate electricity. The process is projected to reduce D.C. Water’s greenhouse gas emissions inventory by 130,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year.
Easton Phase II Force Main Relocation project – Easton Utilities, Talbot County
A $1.73 million Water Quality State Revolving Loan Fund loan to Easton Utilities will help fund the engineering, design and construction of the Easton Phase II Force Main Relocation project to connect the South Pumping Station and complete the rerouting of the Town’s wastewater force main. The project is designed to prevent sewage overflows and protect public health and nearby streams.
Upgrade Septic Systems – Statewide
Grants from the Bay Restoration Fund totaling $1,345,000 will provide funding for counties to upgrade on-site sewage disposal (septic) systems to significantly reduce the discharge of nitrogen, the most serious pollutant in the Chesapeake Bay. Counties will focus on upgrading septic systems located within the Critical Area. A typical septic system that does not remove nitrogen delivers about 23 pounds of nitrogen per year to the groundwater. An upgraded, nitrogen-removing septic system cuts a system’s nitrogen load at least in half. Anne Arundel, Frederick, Harford, Kent, Montgomery, Somerset, Talbot and Washington counties will benefit from the grants.
Chesapeake City Interconnection with Artesian Water Company project – Town of Chesapeake City, Cecil County
Grant and loan funding of $765,000 (a $96,000 loan and a $669,000 grant in the form of loan forgiveness) from the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund Program to the Town of Chesapeake City will help fund the design and construction of the Chesapeake City Interconnection with Artesian Water Company project. The project entails the design and construction of about one mile of water line along Route 285 to the Delaware State line to connect the Town of Chesapeake City water distribution system with the Artesian Water Company system. This will enable the Town to decommission its two water treatment plants and receive its water from Delaware. The current system struggles to meet the Town’s capacity needs and experiences iron levels exceeding U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards.
Chesapeake City Water Meter Replacement project – Town of Chesapeake City, Cecil County
Grant and loan funding of $301,000 (a $38,000 green loan and a $263,000 green grant in the form of loan forgiveness) from the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund Program to the Town of Chesapeake City will help fund the Chesapeake City Water Meter Replacement project. The project entails the installation of radio-read capable water meters throughout the Town of Chesapeake City to accurately track water consumption, increase efficiency, minimize leakage and promote water conservation.
Pocomoke City Water Meter Upgrade project – Pocomoke City, Worcester County
Grant and loan funding of $142,000 (a $17,750 loan and a $124,000 grant in the form of loan forgiveness) from the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund Program to Pocomoke City will help fund the Pocomoke City Water Meter Upgrade project. The project entails the replacement of aging water meters with new radio-read capable water meters throughout Pocomoke City to accurately track water consumption, increase efficiency, minimize leakage and promote water conservation.
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