ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 11, 2005) – Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. announced today’s Board of Public Works approval of a $400,000 grant to support the upgrade of the Funkstown Wastewater Treatment Plant in Washington County. The Board is comprised of Governor Ehrlich, Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp and Comptroller William D. Schaefer.

“The funds approved today are an essential part of Maryland’s effort to achieve a 40 percent reduction in the amount of nutrients discharged to the Chesapeake Bay, while also improving local water quality to Antietam Creek,” Governor Ehrlich said.

The project at the Funkstown Wastewater Treatment Plant will consist of the design and construction of anew batch reactor system to replace the existing lagoon process. The improvement will prevent potential groundwater contamination from leaking lagoons and water quality in surrounding aquifers should be enhanced as well. The plant’s capacity will also increase from 150,000 to 200,000 gallons per day.

“On behalf of the mayor and town council, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks for receiving financial assistance toward s the wastewater treatment plant,” said Funkstown Mayor Robert J. Kline. “Funkstown sincerely appreciates all the help to make this project happen.”

The total cost of the project is more than $2.4 million of which another $1.8 million will come from the State Revolving Loan Fund, administered by the Maryland Department of the Environment.

Design work began last June and construction is expected to start in August. The completion date is proposed roughly a year later.

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