(BALTIMORE, MD) November 18, 2009 - The Maryland Board of Public Works approved $69.75 million in grants to reduce pollution and improve water quality by upgrading wastewater treatment plants and drinking water systems, along with restoring a stream ecosystem. The Board is composed of Governor Martin O’Malley, Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp, and Comptroller Peter Franchot.

“Maryland has tremendous water infrastructure needs across the State, so we’re pleased today to approve grants to improve water quality and protect drinking water. These projects are also critical to helping Maryland meet our two-year Chesapeake Bay cleanup milestones, which more than double our nutrient reduction goals by 2020,” said Governor Martin O’Malley.

The following projects were approved in the following locations:

• Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plant ENR Upgrade and Expansion – Baltimore City

  A $67 million Bay Restoration Fund grant, in addition to a previous $6 million American Recovery and Reinvestment grant, and previous Bay Restoration Fund and other State grants totaling $35,652,873 will fund the planning, design, and construction of Phase I of the Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) facilities at the existing 73 million-gallon-per-day (mgd) Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plant and expansion of the plant to 81 mgd. After the ENR upgrade, the Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plant will reduce its nitrogen discharge by 83 percent and phosphorous discharge by 85 percent, significantly reducing nutrients discharged to the Patapsco River and ultimately to the Chesapeake Bay.

• Patuxent Wastewater Treatment Plant ENR Upgrade – Anne Arundel County

  A $500,000 Bay Restoration Fund grant will support the planning, design, and construction of Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) facilities at the existing 7.5 million-gallon-per-day (mgd) Patuxent Wastewater Treatment Plant. Additional funding will be approved as the project progresses. After the ENR upgrade, the Patuxent Wastewater Treatment Plant will reduce its nitrogen discharge by 62.5 percent and phosphorous discharge by 70 percent, significantly reducing nutrients discharged to the Patuxent River and ultimately to the Chesapeake Bay.

• Annapolis Water Reclamation Facility ENR Upgrade – Anne Arundel County

  A $500,000 Bay Restoration Fund grant in addition to a previous Bay Restoration Fund Grant of $200,000 will support the planning, design, and construction of Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) facilities at the existing 13 million-gallon-per-day (mgd) Annapolis Water Reclamation Facility. Additional funding will be approved as the project progresses. After the ENR upgrade, the Annapolis Water Reclamation Facility will reduce its nitrogen discharge by 62.5 percent and phosphorous discharge by 80 percent, significantly reducing nutrients discharged to the Severn River and ultimately to the Chesapeake Bay.

• Salisbury Potable Water Storage Facility – Wicomico County

  A $300,000 Water Supply grant will fund the design and construction of a one million-gallon water storage facility along with pumps, backup power, and related features. Once completed, this facility will provide additional treated water storage for fire suppression, water plant outages, and emergencies, and will address inadequate water pressure issues.

• Lonaconing Water Improvement Towns of Barton and Midland – Allegany County

  A $300,000 Water Supply grant will fund the replacement of old water mains. The new water mains will minimize bacterial growth, improve esthetic quality, and improve fire suppression to 1,525 homes.

• Bowman’s Addition Water Supply – Allegany County

  A $250,000 Water Supply grant will connect approximately 178 households to the City of Cumberland’s water distribution system. As a result, the current aging system will be retired and the residents of Bowman’s Addition will have an improved water system.

• Bear Branch Watershed Stream Stabilization – Prince George's County

  A $900,000 Non-point Source Fund grant will fund the restoration of approximately 3,500 linear feet of stream in both the North Branch and South Branch sections in the Bear Branch watershed. The grant will also fund construction of two water quality basins to trap sediment and pollutants. Once completed, this project will reduce pollution in Bear Branch and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay.

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