(Baltimore, MD) August 20, 2008 - The Maryland Board of Public Works today approved $5.8 million in Bay Restoration Fund grants for capital construction projects to improve water quality in Cecil County and Baltimore City. The Board is comprised of Governor Martin O’Malley, Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot.

“Improving sewage collection and treatment operations in Baltimore City and Cecil County is a priority for Maryland and all of our towns and cities,” said Governor O’Malley. "These projects are critical components of the state-wide effort to upgrade sewage systems and wastewater treatment plants to meet the Chesapeake Bay nutrient reduction goals.”

Greenmount Branch Interceptor Improvements Phase II - Baltimore City<

Baltimore City is under a Consent Decree to eliminate sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) within its collection system. This project is a component of the City’s long-term plan for correcting its SSOs. Baltimore City realizes the importance of eliminating these overflows thereby improving water quality and aquatic life in receiving streams.

The Board approved a $1 million grant for Phase II of the Greenmount Branch Interceptor improvements. This phase involves the installation of a relief interceptor ranging in size from 27” to 42” diameter and all related appurtenances, starting from near Kirk and Bonaparte Avenues and continuing southward to near Hillman and Eager Streets.

Perryville WWTP BNR/ENR Upgrade - Cecil County<

The Board approved a $4.8 million grant toward the planning, design, and construction phase to the Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) and Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) facilities at the existing 1.65 million gallon per day (MGD) Perryville Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). Once completed, the project will achieve effluent concentrations of 3 mg/l, which is an 83 percent reduction in the amount of nitrogen currently discharged. Similarly, phosphorous concentrations will be 0.3 mg/l, resulting in an 85 percent reduction in phosphorous loadings. Reducing nutrients discharged to the lower Susquehanna River and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay will result in an improvement in water quality.

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