BALTIMORE, MD (October 3, 2012) - The Maryland Board of Public Works approved grants of more than $455,000 to reduce pollution and improve water quality by upgrading a wastewater treatment plant. 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 public health while creating jobs for more Marylanders.”

The following project was approved today:

Freedom District Wastewater Treatment Plant Enhanced Nutrient Removal Upgrade – Carroll County

A $247,000 Bay Restoration Fund grant and a $208,205 Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Projects Biological Nutrient Removal grant to Carroll County, in addition to a previous $100,000 Bay Restoration Fund grant, will help fund the design and construction of Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) refinements and an Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) upgrade at the 3.5 million gallons per day Freedom District Wastewater Treatment Plant. After the upgrades, the facility will reduce its nitrogen discharge by 76 percent and its phosphorus discharge by 85 percent, significantly reducing the amount of nutrients discharged to the South Branch Patapsco River 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 the state’s major wastewater treatment plants are a critical component of Maryland’s Phase II Watershed Implementation Plan.

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