ANNAPOLIS, MD (March 28, 2001) – The Maryland Board of Public Works approved a grant of $906,485 today for Charles County to upgrade and expand the existing La Plata Wastewater Treatment Plant.

"This funding will help protect the Chesapeake Bay and it's tributaries while allowing the town of La Plata to operate its plant more efficiently," said Governor Parris N. Glendening.

The project upgrade to La Plata’s existing treatment plant will include the construction of a Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) facility to improve nitrogen removal and an expansion to increase wastewater treatment capacity from 1 to 1.5 million gallons per day to accommodate future development.

Town officials are hoping the grant, administered through the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), will assist in reducing the amount of nutrients being discharged into the Chesapeake Bay.

"The mayor and council and the citizens of La Plata are grateful to MDE for its leadership in helping wastewater plants convert to BNR technology," said Town Manager Douglas R. Miller. "The La Plata BNR upgrade will improve our plant’s operation, which will ultimately benefit the Port Tobacco River, the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay. We are happy to partner with MDE in this endeavor."

The total cost of the project is more than $10.1 million of which $357, 515 is the town’s share with $7.7 million held in a loan. Construction on the upgrade began in February and is slated for completion by March 2002. The grant approved today increases the state’s participation in the project to more than $2.06 million.

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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