ANNAPOLIS, MD (March 24, 2004) – Governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. announces Board of Public Works approval of a $870,000 grant to upgrade the Chestertown Wastewater Treatment Plant in Kent County.

“The funds approved today will improve the quality of life to the 4,200 residents served by the plant while also improving local water quality,” Governor Ehrlich said.

The project at the Chestertown Wastewater Treatment Plant will consist of planning, designing and constructing a biological nutrient removal facility (BNR) which will reduce the plant’s total nitrogen removal to a yearly average of 8 milligrams per liter. Removal of nutrients, like nitrogen, from the plant is essential in the success of Maryland’s effort to achieve a 40 percent reduction in the amount of nutrients discharged to the Chesapeake Bay.

“The town of Chestertown is pleased to participate in Maryland’s Biological Nutrient Removal program and appreciates the Maryland Department of the Environment’s efforts to assist us with grants and loans,” said Chestertown Mayor Margo G. Bailey. “The Chester River is an extraordinary river with a rich colonial maritime history. It is incumbent upon us to insure that the Chester River is as clean as it can be for our own use and the use of future generations and upgrade of the Chestertown wastewater treatment plant will definitely improve the river’s quality.”

The total cost of the project is $2.6 million of which $650,000 is the local share being paid by Chestertown. The project is expected to get underway in June and last about a year.

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