BALTIMORE, MD (January 6, 2010) - The Maryland Board of Public Works approved $13.3 million in grants to reduce pollution and improve water quality by upgrading wastewater collection and improving drinking water supplies. The Board is comprised of Governor Martin O’Malley, Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp, and Comptroller Peter Franchot.

“Not only are we significantly reducing nitrogen pollution and providing safe drinking water through these projects, these much-needed investments in our infrastructure are also putting people to work across the state,” said Governor Martin O'Malley.

The following projects were approved in the following locations:

• Edesville Lover's Lane Wastewater Extension – Kent County

  A $450,000 Supplemental Assistance Grant, in addition to a $500,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Grant, will fund the design and construction of a new wastewater collection system to provide public sewer services to protect public health and reduce nitrogen pollution by eliminating failing septic tanks. Eleven existing homes and one vacant property will be served by the new collection system, which will reduce nitrogen pollution from these properties by approximately 75 percent.

• Edesville Lover's Lane Water Extension – Kent County

  A $300,000 Water Supply grant, in addition to a $350,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Grant, will fund the design and construction of a new water main extension to provide potable water to properties along Lover's Lane to protect public health and prevent potential contamination of the existing individual wells. Eleven existing homes and one vacant property will be served by the new water main extension.

• City of Frostburg CSO Elimination Phase VI – Allegany County

  A $777,655 Supplemental Assistance Grant, in addition to $320,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, will improve the existing sanitary and combined sewer infrastructure. The project will install new sewers, replace and rehabilitate sewer lines, and upgrade existing pumping stations. Once complete, the improvements will reduce pollution into the Potomac River and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay.

• Mount Airy Wastewater Treatment Plant ENR Upgrade – Carroll County

  A $3.3 million 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 1.2 million-gallon-per-day (mgd) Mount Airy Wastewater Treatment Plant. After the ENR upgrade, the Mount Airy Wastewater Treatment Plant will reduce its nitrogen discharge by 62.5 percent and phosphorous discharge by 70 percent, significantly reducing nutrients discharged to the Patapsco River and ultimately to the Chesapeake Bay.

• Cox Creek Water Reclamation Facility ENR Upgrade – Anne Arundel County

  A grant increase of up to $8.5 million from the Bay Restoration Fund will support the planning, design, and construction of Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) facilities at the existing 15 million-gallon-per-day (mgd) Cox Creek Water Reclamation Facility. After the ENR upgrade, the Cox Creek Water Reclamation Facility will reduce its nitrogen discharge by 62.5 percent and phosphorous discharge by 70 percent, significantly reducing nutrients discharged to the Patapsco River and ultimately to the Chesapeake Bay.

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