ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 3, 2001) -- The Maryland Board of Public Works approved a $3 million grant increase yesterday for Queen Anne’s County to upgrade and expand the Kent Narrows/Stevensville/Grasonville Wastewater Treatment Plant.

"This funding continues the state’s support of a construction project at the existing plant that will allow Queen Anne’s County to improve the quality of service to its 14,000 customers," said Governor Parris. N. Glendening. "This grant will also allow county officials to reduce the amount of nutrients being released back into the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, which so much a part of their lives and livelihood."

The expansion entails upgrading the existing biological nutrient removal (BNR) facility at the plant to improve its ability to remove nitrogen from treated water as well as the expand its capacity for treatment.

The grant from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) will help county officials meet the costs of expanding the facility to a capacity of three million gallons per day to provide for growth projected to occur in the area over the next few years.

"Queen Anne’s County fully supports the Chesapeake Bay Agreement’s initiatives and in constructing our new wastewater treatment plant with BNR," added Queen Anne’s County Commissioner President George O’Donnell. "We are showing our citizens’ commitment to a cleaner, healthier Bay. We appreciate the state paying for a portion of this important improvement."

The total cost of the project is $22 million, of which $15.7 million is the local share. MDE previously awarded Queen Anne’s County $6.3 million grant for the project. Construction on the upgrade is set to begin by the end of the year and is slated for completion the spring of 2004.

Chaired by Governor Glendening, the Board of Public Works also is comprised of Comptroller William Donald Schaefer and Treasurer Richard N. Dixon. The Board is empowered by the General Assembly to approve major construction and consultant contracts, equipment purchases, property transactions and other procurement actions.

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