BALTIMORE, MD (June 20, 2012) - The Maryland Board of Public Works approved more than $37 million in grants today to reduce pollution and improve water quality by upgrading septic systems and wastewater treatment plants. The Board is composed of Governor Martin O’Malley, Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot.

"Projects such as these are an important part of our effort to improve Maryland waterways, including the Chesapeake Bay," said Governor O’Malley. "These projects reduce pollution and protect the environment and public health while creating jobs for more Marylanders."

The following projects were approved today:

Upgrade Septic Systems – Statewide

Grants from the Bay Restoration Fund totaling $14,850,000 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. All 23 Maryland counties will benefit from the grants.

Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant Enhanced Nutrient Removal Upgrade – Baltimore City

A $13 million Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Projects grant to Baltimore City, in addition to a previous $15 million Bay Restoration Fund grant and a previous $5 million Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Projects grant, will help fund the planning, design and construction of Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) and Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) facilities at the existing 180 million gallons per day Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant. After the upgrades, the facility will reduce its nitrogen discharge by 67 percent, significantly reducing the amount of nutrients discharged into Back River and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay.

Emmitsburg Wastewater Treatment Plant Enhanced Nutrient Removal Upgrade – Frederick County

Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Projects grants totaling $3,750,000 to the Town of Emmitsburg, in addition to a previous $485,000 Bay Restoration Fund grant and $1,193,590 in previous Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Projects grants, will help fund the planning, design and construction of Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) and Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) facilities at the existing 0.75 million gallons per day Emmitsburg Wastewater Treatment Plant. After the upgrades, the facility will reduce its nitrogen discharge by 83.3 percent and its phosphorus discharge by 95 percent, significantly reducing the amount of nutrients discharged into the Upper Monocacy River, the Potomac River and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay.

Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plant Enhanced Nutrient Removal Upgrade – Baltimore City

A $3,716,687 Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Projects grant to Baltimore City, in addition to a previous $83,707,000 Bay Restoration Fund grant and a previous $54,499,543 Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Projects grant, will help fund the planning, design and construction of Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) and Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) facilities at the existing 73 million gallons per day Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plant. After the upgrades, the facility will reduce its nitrogen discharge by 83 percent and its phosphorus discharge by 85 percent, significantly reducing the amount of nutrients discharged into the Patapsco River and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay.

New Windsor Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade – Carroll County

A $2 million Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Projects funds grant to the Town of New Windsor will be used to pay off a portion of the $3,808,474 principal balance on an existing loan with the Maryland Department of the Environment’s Water Quality Financing Administration for the upgrade of the New Windsor Wastewater Treatment Plant. The capital cost of the upgrade, which was substantially completed in July 2011, put a significant burden on the sewer user rates, which were increased by $100 per quarter. To provide financial relief to sewer users, the Maryland General Assembly added language specifying that the grant be provided. The principal reduction potentially provides a sewer rate reduction of up to $50 per quarter. A previous $550,000 Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Projects grant also helped fund the upgrade.

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