BALTIMORE, MD (May 19, 2010) – The Maryland Board of Public Works approved $20.14 million in grants to reduce pollution and improve water quality by upgrading wastewater treatment plants and collection systems, controlling stormwater, and improving drinking water. The Board is composed of Governor Martin O’Malley, Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp, and Comptroller Peter Franchot.

"These projects significantly reduce nitrogen pollution, control stormwater, provide safe drinking water and put people to work across the state," said Governor Martin O'Malley.

The following projects were approved in the following locations:

• Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plant Biological Nutrient Removal and Enhanced Nutrient Removal – Baltimore City

  Grants of $2,547,000 from the Bay Restoration Fund and $8,807,207 from the Biological Nutrient Removal Program, in addition to previous funding of $122 million in grants and loans from state and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act sources, 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.

• Cambridge Wastewater Treatment Plant Enhanced Nutrient Removal Upgrade – Dorchester County

  This $400,000 grant from the Bay Restoration Fund, in addition to a previous grant of $100,000 from the Supplemental Assistance Program, will fund the planning design and construction of the Enhanced Nutrient Removal facilities at the existing 8.0 million gallons per day (mgd) Cambridge Wastewater Treatment Plant. Once complete, the Cambridge Wastewater Treatment Plant will reduce its nitrogen discharge by 62 percent and phosphorous discharge by 90 percent, significantly reducing nutrients discharged to the Choptank River and ultimately to the Chesapeake Bay.

• Pocomoke Wastewater Treatment Plant Enhanced Nutrient Removal Upgrade – Worcester County

  This $3.02 million grant from the Bay Restoration Fund, in addition to previous grants of $200,000 from the Bay Restoration Fund and a $500,000 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Grant, will fund the planning, design, and construction of the Enhanced Nutrient Removal facilities at the existing 1.47 mgd Pocomoke Wastewater Treatment Plant. Once complete, the Pocomoke Wastewater Treatment Plant will reduce its nitrogen discharge by 62 percent and phosphorous discharge by 90 percent, significantly reducing nutrients discharged to the Pocomoke River and ultimately to the Chesapeake Bay.

• Snow Hill Wastewater Treatment Plant Biological Nutrient Removal/Enhanced Nutrient Removal Upgrade – Worcester County

  Grants totaling $1.1 million from the Bay Restoration Fund, Supplemental Assistance Program, and the Biological Nutrient Removal Program will fund the planning, design and construction phases for Biological Nutrient Removal and Enhanced Nutrient Removal at the existing 0.50 mgd Snow Hill Wastewater Treatment Plant. Once complete, the Snow Hill Wastewater Treatment Plant will reduce its nitrogen discharge by 83 percent and phosphorous discharge by 90 percent, significantly reducing nutrients discharged to the Pocomoke River and ultimately to the Chesapeake Bay.

• Marlay-Taylor Water Reclamation Facility Enhanced Nutrient Removal Upgrade – St. Mary’s County

  This $1.4 million grant, in addition to a previous grant of $200,000, will fund the planning and design of Enhanced Nutrient Removal facilities at the existing 6 mgd Marlay-Taylor Water Reclamation Facility. Once complete, the Marley-Taylor Facility will reduce its nitrogen discharge by 62 percent and phosphorous discharge by 90 percent, significantly reducing nutrients discharged to the Chesapeake Bay.

• Emmitsburg Wastewater Treatment Plant Biological Nutrient Removal/Enhanced Nutrient Removal Upgrade – Frederick County

  Grants totaling $650,000 from the Supplemental Assistance Program and a Biological Nutrient Removal Grant, in addition to previous grants of over $500,000, will fund the planning, design and construction phases for Biological Nutrient Removal and Enhanced Nutrient Removal at the existing 0.75 mgd Emmitsburg Wastewater Treatment Plant. Once complete, the Emmitsburg Wastewater Treatment Plant will reduce its nitrogen discharge by 83 percent and phosphorous discharge by 90 percent, significantly reducing nutrients discharged to the Upper Monocacy River, the Potomac River and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay.

• Chesterville Forest Wastewater Collection System – Kent County

  This $500,000 Supplemental Assistance Grant will fund the design and construction of a wastewater collection system to provide public sewer to the Chesterville Forest area of Kent County to eliminate failing septic tanks. The wastewater collected will be transported to the existing Millington wastewater treatment plant for treatment and disposal.

• Cambridge Combined Sewer Separation, Phase V – City of Cambridge in Dorchester County

  This $1 million grant from the Supplemental Assistance Program, in addition to a previous grant of $600,000, from the State Water Quality Fund will fund the separation of the combined sanitary and storm water sewer system and eliminate the discharges of raw sewage into the Choptank River. The City of Cambridge will construct new sanitary and/or storm drain lines as needed for the area currently served by the combined system. This grant is for Phase V and includes separating the sewer system in and around High Street, Muir Street, Academy Street, and Cemetery Avenue.

• Booze Creek Stream Restoration – Montgomery County

  This $458,212 Small Creek and Estuaries Restoration Grant will restore 2,300 linear feet of Booze Creek, the highest priority stream restoration project in the Cabin John Creek Watershed. Once complete, the project will reduce stormwater runoff and sediment pollution into the Creek and ultimately into the Chesapeake Bay.

• Laurel High School Low Impact Development (LID) Demonstration Project – Prince George’s County

  This $65,625 grant from the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Nonpoint Source Fund, in addition to a $168,750 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, will fund low impact development techniques to manage stormwater runoff and reduce nonpoint pollutants to our streams, rivers and lakes in the Upper Patuxent watershed. The project will demonstrate how to reduce stormwater pollution from a 3.55 acre drainage area that is approximately 81 percent impervious surface through the construction of rain gardens and a weeping bioretention facility, using Bayscaping and rain barrels.

• Bowman’s Addition Water Supply – Allegany County

  This $192,774 Water Supply Grant, in addition to a previous $1.03 million Water Supply Grant and more than $5 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of Housing and Urban Development, will connect approximately 260 households and businesses, which are part of the Priority Funding Area, 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.

###