ANNAPOLIS, MD (March 16, 2005) – Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. today announced Board of Public Works approval of a $328,000 grant for the Town of Delmar in Wicomico County to upgrade its existing wastewater treatment plant to utilize biological nutrient removal (BNR). The Board is comprised of Governor Ehrlich, Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp and Comptroller William D. Schaefer.

“This project will reduce nutrient deposits in the Wicomico River while helping the Chesapeake Bay and aquatic habitat too,” said Governor Ehrlich. “We continue taking aggressive actions to protect and preserve the Bay while improving the quality of life for all Marylanders.”

Excess nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus, lead to degraded water quality, which negatively impact the ecology of the Bay and its tributaries.

The project upgrade to the existing wastewater treatment plant includes the planning, design and construction of facilities to upgrade the existing 650,000 gallons-per-day plant to achieve BNR.

“We, at the Town of Delmar, are aware of and totally in support of the BNR project,” said Delmar Mayor P. Douglas Niblett. “Good water quality will benefit the town as well as the Bay. In all ways, we are attempting to improve our water quality and this project will enhance our efforts.” The total cost of the project is more than $4.5 million. Previously the town has been awarded $615,000 in grants for this project. Future actions including a state revolving fund loan of more than $3.4 million will complete the financing. Construction on the upgrade is expected to begin in May and is slated for completion by September 2006.

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