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The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) continues to work toward a cleaner Chesapeake Bay by breaking ground for construction to upgrade two waste water treatment plants. The Indian Head Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) in Charles County in Southern Maryland, and the Brunswick WWTP in Frederick County, western Maryland. Since the adoption of the landmark Restoration Act, ten plants across the state are upgrading, with two plants complete and operating.
Leading the Way to Restore the Bay
“Maryland continues to lead other state’s in restoring the health of the Chesapeake Bay,“ said Governor Robert R. Ehrlich, Jr. “By upgrading plants across the State, we eliminate millions of pounds of pollution annually.”
“Projects like these demonstrate the Governor’s commitment to preserving our environment and making Maryland a cleaner, safer place to live,” said MDE Secretary Kendl P.Philbrick
The Indian Head WWTP upgrade will significantly reduce the amount of nutrients, by removing an estimated 22,842 lbs of Nitrogen discharged directly from the plant into Mattawomen Creek, the Potomac River and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay.
Groundbreaking at the Brunswick WWTP found Secretary Philbrick joined by local officials including Brunswick Mayor Carroll A. Jones, who reinforced his pride in being one of the first municipalities to undertake a wastewater treatment upgrade project to meet the Chesapeake Bay Restoration goals. The upgrade will enable the community to meet the goals established for nutrient loads discharged to the Potomac River and eventually the bay.
“The project will result in a 83.6 percent reduction in nitrogen and 87 percent decrease in phosphorus to the receiving Potomac River,” said Mayor Jones. “An action that is essential for Maryland to meet its commitments under the Chesapeake 2000 Agreement.”
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