BALTIMORE, MD (October 20, 2010) – The Maryland Board of Public Works approved more than $41.8 million in grants to reduce pollution and improve water quality by upgrading wastewater treatments plants and septic systems and restoring a stream. The Board is composed of Governor Martin O’Malley, Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp, and Comptroller Peter Franchot.

"These projects significantly reduce nitrogen and sediment pollution, to improve local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay, and put people to work across the State," said Governor Martin O'Malley.

The following projects were approved in the following locations:

Little Patuxent Water Reclamation Plant Enhanced Nutrient Removal Upgrade and Expansion – Howard County

A $34.96 million Bay Restoration Fund grant, in addition to a previous $530,000 Bay Restoration Fund grant, will fund the planning, design, and construction of the Enhanced Nutrient Removal facilities at the existing 25 million-gallon-per-day (mgd) Little Patuxent Water Reclamation Plant and expansion of the plant to 29 mgd. After the upgrade, the plant will reduce its nitrogen discharge by 62 percent and phosphorus discharge by 60 percent, significantly reducing nutrients discharged to the Little Patuxent River and the Chesapeake Bay.

Thurmont Wastewater Treatment Plant Enhanced Nutrient Removal Upgrade – Frederick County

An $6.59 million Bay Restoration Fund grant, in addition to a previous $300,000 Bay Restoration Fund grant, will fund the planning, design, and construction of the Enhanced Nutrient Removal facilities at the existing 1.0 million-gallon-per-day Thurmont Wastewater Treatment Plant. After the upgrade, the plant will reduce its nitrogen discharge by 62 percent and phosphorus discharge by 85 percent, significantly reducing nutrients discharged to Hunting Creek, the Monocacy River, and the Chesapeake Bay.

Canaan Valley Institute Septics Upgrade Grant – Howard County

A grant of up to $94,500 from the Bay Restoration Fund will fund the upgrade of failing on-site sewage disposal (septic) systems to use nitrogen-removing technology at homes and businesses in Howard County. Once complete the new systems will significantly reduce nitrogen pollution to both ground and surface waters and ultimately to the Chesapeake Bay.

Redhouse Run at St. Patrick Road Stream Restoration – Baltimore County

This $186,121 Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Nonpoint Source Fund Grant will restore 3,000 linear feet of Redhouse Run and an unnamed tributary in the Back River Watershed.  Once complete, the project will reduce sediment discharge and nutrient loads and improve the biodiversity and groundwater recharge in Redhouse Run, Back River, and the Chesapeake Bay.

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