ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 23, 2007) – Governor Martin O’Malley today announced Board of Public Works approval of a $500,000 State Supplemental Grant to the St. Mary’s Metropolitan Commission for the Andover Estates Sewerage Project in Saint Mary’s County. The Board is comprised of Governor O’Malley, Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot.

“Safe, updated sewage management is essential to the life and health of Marylanders,” said Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) Secretary Shari T. Wilson. “The State takes pride in keeping up with the evolving infrastructure and needs of community’s wastewater system to protect human health, water quality and the well-being of aquatic ecosystems.”

The proposed project involves extension of the public sewerage to existing homes with failing septic systems located in the Andover Estate area by construction of a wastewater collection system along with a pump station and force main to collect and transport sewage to the Marley Taylor wastewater treatment plant.

“I am pleased that MDE has assisted Saint Mary’s County Metropolitan Commission with the Funding of the Andover Estates Sewerage project,” said St. Mary’s County Metropolitan Commission Director Steve King. “This project will rid the neighborhood of unhealthful failed septic systems and will help restore tributaries to the Chesapeake Bay.”

The total cost of the project is more than $1.2 million. Construction began in November, 2006, and the project has an estimated May, 2007, completion date.

###