BALTIMORE, MD) July 22, 2009 - The Maryland Board of Public Works approved $29,504,000 in grants to reduce pollution and improve water quality by upgrading wastewater treatment plants, repairing sewer systems, and stabilizing stream banks. Grants awarded today include $9,415,000 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for Maryland clean water projects. The Board is comprised of Governor Martin O’Malley, Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp, and Comptroller Peter Franchot.

“Maryland’s ambitious two-year Chesapeake Bay cleanup milestones more than double our nutrient reduction goals by 2020. Key to achieving this goal is upgrading wastewater treatment plants and sewage systems across the State,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “We’re also pleased today to, for the first time, deliver grants from President Obama’s clean water recovery funding to communities across the State that are eager for projects to improve water quality, to protect drinking water, and to save and create jobs.”

In June, the Environmental Protection Agency awarded the Maryland Department of the Environment with $121.6 million to fund Maryland water quality and drinking water projects under President Barack Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). ARRA funding will enable construction of water infrastructure projects that are estimated to create hundreds of jobs, and that will protect public health, improve the environment, and help clean up the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland waterways.

The following projects were approved in the following locations:

• Delmar Wastewater Treatment Plant BNR and ENR Upgrade and Expansion - Wicomico County

  This $2,000,000 ARRA grant, along with a $2,344,000 grant increase from the Bay Restoration Fund, will fund the planning, design, and construction of Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) and Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) facilities at the existing 0.65 million gallons per day wastewater treatment plant. The plant will also be expanded to 0.85 million gallons per day. The grant will fund the portion of the BNR upgrade attributable to the existing plant capacity of 0.65 million gallons per day, while the ENR upgrade will be funded at the ENR-approved design capacity of 0.85 million gallons per day. After BNR and ENR upgrades, the Delmar Wastewater Treatment Plant will reduce its nitrogen discharge by 83 percent and phosphorous by 70 percent, significantly reducing nutrients discharged to Wood Creek and ultimately to the Chesapeake Bay.

• Cumberland Wastewater Treatment Plant ENR Upgrade – Allegany County

  A $6,000,000 ARRA grant, along with a $25,779,000 grant increase from the Bay Restoration Fund, will fund the planning, design, and construction of Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) facilities at the existing City of Cumberland Wastewater Treatment Plant at an approved design capacity of 15 million gallons per day. After ENR upgrades, the Cumberland Wastewater Treatment Plant will reduce its nitrogen discharge by 63 percent and phosphorous by 85 percent, significantly reducing nutrients discharged to the Potomac River and ultimately to the Chesapeake Bay.

• Wynnleigh Road Stream Restoration - Prince George’s County

  This $415,000 ARRA grant will stabilize 300- 400 feet of stream bank in a suburban area of Lower Beaverdam Creek. The stabilization project involves installing imbricated rip rap, J-hooks, rock vanes, and other grade control structures. The project will reduce property loss and stream bank erosion, provide wildlife habitat, and improve water quality in Beaverdam Creek and the Anacostia River.

• Mountain Lake Park Sewer Rehabilitation – Garrett County

  This $1,000,000 ARRA grant will fund the replacement and/or rehabilitation of deteriorated pipes and manholes within the Mountain Lake Park Sewer System. The project will lessen inflow and infiltration to the county-owned Trout Run Wastewaster Treatment Plant, decreasing costs and reducing the likelihood of pollution from sanitary sewer overflows and sewage backups.

• Taneytown Wastewater Treatment Plant ENR Upgrade – Carroll County

  This $310,000 grant from the Bay Restoration Fund will fund the planning, design, and construction of Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) facilities at the existing 1.1 million gallons per day Taneytown Wastewater Treatment Plant. After ENR upgrades, the Taneytown Wastewater Treatment Plant will reduce its nitrogen discharge 62.5 percent and phosphorous by 85 percent, significantly reducing nutrients discharged to the Upper Monocacy River and ultimately to the Chesapeake Bay.

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