(BALTIMORE, MD) July 1, 2009- The Maryland Board of Public Works approved $10,317,000 in grants and loans to upgrade wastewater treatment and rehabilitate sewers in Maryland. The Board is comprised of Governor Martin O’Malley, Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp, and Comptroller Peter Franchot.

“After decades of setting far-away restoration goals, Maryland recently committed to ambitious two-year milestones that more than double our nutrient reduction goals by 2020. A key strategy that will achieve this goal is upgrading wastewater treatment plants and septic systems across the State,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “In addition, improving sewage collection systems will further reduce nutrient pollution into the Bay.”

The following projects were approved in the following locations:

• Bowie Wastewater Treatment Plant ENR Upgrade – Prince George’s County

  An $8,267,000 grant increase from the Bay Restoration Fund and a $1,800,000 loan from the Water Quality State Revolving Loan Fund will fund the planning, design and construction of Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) facilities at the existing 3.3 million gallons per day (mgd) Bowie Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). Upon completion of the BNR and ENR upgrades, the Bowie WWTP will reduce its discharge of total nitrogen by 63 percent and total phosphorous by 85 percent, significantly reducing nutrients discharged to the Patuxent River and ultimately to the Chesapeake Bay.

• Life of Jesus, Inc. On-Site Sewage Disposal Systems Upgrade - Frederick County

  This $300,000 grant increase from the Bay Restoration Fund will fund the design and construction of an on-site sewage disposal (or septic) system with technology to remove 80 percent of the total nitrogen, significantly reducing the amount of nutrients discharged to the local groundwater. The plant will treat an average flow of 18,993 gallons per day.

• Williamsport Inflow and Infiltration Reduction Project – Washington County

  This $250,000 grant from the Bay Restoration Fund will fund the rehabilitation of a portion of the Williamsport area wastewater collection system, which serves the 1,868 residents of Williamsport. The work will include the repair and/or replacement of defective sewer lines and manholes. This project will reduce nutrient pollution in the Potomac River and ultimately to the Chesapeake Bay.

###​