ANNAPOLIS, MD (November 21, 2002) – Governor Parris N. Glendening yesterday announced Board of Public Works approval of a $200,000 grant increase for Allegany County to upgrade the existing Georges Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant to biological nutrient removal (BNR).

This is among the first BNR upgrade projects to be funded following Governor Glendening’s executive order issued last week to implement enhanced nutrient removal in major wastewater treatment plants across the State.

The project upgrade to the existing wastewater treatment plant includes the planning, design and construction of facilities to upgrade the existing 600,000 gallons-per-day plant to achieve biological nutrient removal (BNR).

“We appreciate the Maryland Department of the Environment and their ongoing support of our projects,” said Allegany County Administrator Vance Ishler. “This project will help us to reduce sewer overflows and do our part in reducing nutrient flow to the Chesapeake Bay.”

The total cost of the project is $2 million of which $500,000 is the local share. MDE previously awarded Allegany County $1.1 million in grants for this project. Construction on the upgrade is expected to begin in June 2004 and is slated for completion by June 2006.

The policy established by last week’s Executive Order will utilize technological advances in BNR to enhance Maryland’s region-leading nutrient reduction program by preventing an additional 7.5 million pounds of nitrogen and 220,000 pounds of phosphorus from entering the Bay from wastewater treatment plants each year.

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